Premiership: Di Canio fears for the future

Paolo di Canio fears he may be eased out of West Ham by manager Glenn Roeder.

The Italian striker is still furious at being substituted in Monday’s 1-0 win at Fulham, and claims he has had no explanation from Roeder.

He is also worried that now the Hammers have secured their Premiership status for next season by reaching 43 points, he will be edged out of the first team.

However, Roeder has insisted di Canio is still very much in his plans, and confirmed he will lead the team against Charlton at Upton Park on Saturday.

But Roeder did also reveal that he had told England Under-21 strike sensation Jermain Defoe who is seen as the natural successor to Di Canio that his time would be next season.

Di Canio told PA Sport today: ‘‘I like Glenn Roeder, he is a good manager and can become one of the best this club has had, but he hasn’t spoken to me since Monday.

‘‘I have played for some of the best managers in the world, such as Giovanni Trapattoni and Fabio Capello, and they would always come to me and explain why they did something.

‘‘Glenn is a young manager and he is learning, but I think he should have spoken to me about his decision to substitute me - I go on morals, respect and values.

‘‘I love this club - and I want to stay here for the rest of my career - but I have to now wonder if I am in the manager’s plans for next season.

‘‘Maybe Glenn substituted me because he thought we had 43 points and he felt safe.

‘‘But he should have been big enough to do that a few games ago if that is what he wanted.

‘‘I don’t want to leave West Ham and I would never ask for a transfer, but if they are going to force me out in the summer then they shall have to let me go for nothing.

‘‘I am committed to this club, I am going home from training and thinking about how we can beat Charlton on Saturday.’’

Di Canio has another year to run on his current contract and the truth is that he is still a key man in Roeder’s plans.

The Italian suggested his strike partner, Frederic Kanoute, should have been substituted instead of him - but Roeder was justified in preferring to stick with the physical presence the big Frenchman offered against Fulham’s big defenders.

It seems di Canio just wants to be loved, and Roeder said: ‘‘I suspect his pride is hurt, but I am not going into any detail about the substitution on Monday - there is no need to.

‘‘Paolo has a contract for the next 12 months and I expect him to be here next year.

‘‘He will be starting alongside Kanoute on Saturday. It is fair to say he is an excellent player.

‘‘I was very pleased with his contribution over the whole of last weekend.

‘‘He had a hand in all three goals against Ipswich, including scoring the second one, and I was very pleased with his work-rate against Fulham.

‘‘Everyone has been substituted this season. On Monday I needed Fredi’s physical presence in the second half against Fulham’s two big centre-halves, Alain Goma and Andy Melville. When Fredi plays well I think we play well.

‘‘I am not affected by Paolo’s outbursts and I think the rest of the squad has the character to handle it too.

‘‘We have always had a good relationship and I am sure that is not going to change.’’

But Roeder did warn Di Canio he would have serious competition for his place next season from

Defoe.

He added: ‘‘Jermain’s time is coming - he is all about next year. If he has got the shirt, is scoring and doing well, then he will keep the shirt.’’

Kanoute also hit back at di Canio, who suggested he did not work as hard as he did.

‘‘All I can say is I did what I had to do,’’ said Kanoute.

‘‘I had a good enough day at the office and I scored. I’ve got nothing more to say.’’