Grant backs Ba to emerge as a West Ham star

AVRAM GRANT has warned West Ham’s rivals that the best is yet to come from in-form striker Demba Ba.

Ba completed his move to Upton Park from Hoffenheim last month after walking out on the German side, with whom he enjoyed two-and-a-half prolific seasons.

Grant was reluctant to throw the 25-year-old straight into action as he had not played since December 18, but a calf injury to Robbie Keane meant he was handed his first start against West Brom last week.

The 6ft 2in striker did not disappoint, scoring twice to help the Hammers rescue a vital point in a six-goal thriller against their relegation rivals.

He also impressed during a brief substitute appearance against Birmingham the previous week and is likely to start alongside Carlton Cole in West Ham’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Burnley tonight.

The Hammers have scored just 30 times in 27 matches this season but Grant thinks that Ba has the right attributes to make a big impact on the club’s attempt to move out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone.

“He is a very good player. I followed him for a long time in the German league,” Grant said.

“He always scored, he is always moving. It is very difficult to mark him and he hits the target. That is what you want from a striker.

“Those are the most important things for a striker – movement and being able to hit the target — and that is what he did against West Brom.

“I think they cleared off the line from him twice last week. He can play anywhere — right, left, behind. He is good and he is not in the best shape yet because he had a break from December 21 and we are building him slowly, slowly.”