Di Canio returns to fold for dogfight

TREVOR BROOKING has offered Paolo di Canio the chance to try and help save West Ham from relegation this season.

The Italian striker was frozen out by Glenn Roeder after he publicly criticised the manager and the team then went on an unbeaten run without him.

But with Roeder now recovering in hospital following a minor stroke, and Brooking installed as manager for the remaining three games, the door has opened for di Canio to make a dramatic return.

The Hammers travel to Manchester City tomorrow for yet another must-win clash, and di Canio is struggling with a gastric problem.

But if he can prove his fitness, then Brooking insists there is a role for him. Brooking once named di Canio in his all-time greatest West Ham team, although Roeder ran out of patience with the temperamental Italian.

The Hammers' four outfield substitutes against Middlesbrough on Monday included two central defenders and no recognised striker, despite Roeder insisting di Canio had not been missing through injury in recent weeks.

But Brooking said: "The situation on Paolo is that he is not fit, he has had a gastric problem all week, I have spoken to Paolo and had a very good chat with him and he is very supportive.

"We are trying to win three games and I am sure that at some stage, with half an hour to go, you want as many attacking options as you can get, so if Paolo is fit he can win you a game.

"No-one is guaranteed a place and Paolo accepts that, but in any case he has not been fit most of the time and therefore has not been available for selection," he said.

Brooking will discuss his team selection with coaches Paul Goddard and Roger Cross, and will then give his players a simple team talk.

"The message is we have got to win," said Brooking.

"To be honest, I'd prefer to be playing because then it is in your hands, but the next best thing is to try and galvanise everyone into getting the result everyone wants, but I don't think anyone in our dressing room will need motivating.

"Whatever happens in that time, the priority is for Glenn to make a full recovery and to get better that is the number one. But we owe it to everyone who has put the work in for the last nine-and-a-half months to try and get three wins," he said.