Premiership: Injury scare for di Canio

Paolo di Canio was taken to hospital for a scan which will reveal whether or not his season is over following the 2-0 home win over Charlton.

The West Ham skipper collapsed in agony after twisting his knee, and was carried off on a stretcher after 69 minutes.

Hammers boss Glenn Roeder said: ‘‘Paolo has gone for a scan but it appears that he has damaged the medial ligament in his left knee. He was in quite a bit of discomfort.

‘‘We shall have to wait until we get the results of the scan tonight, but fingers crossed it is nothing more than a strain, and we cannot look too far ahead until we find out.

‘‘He told me his studs got caught in the turf as he twisted around and he immediately felt excruciating pain.

‘‘He will definitely be out for the next couple of weeks, but he is hoping it is just a minor strain and he can be back before our last game of the season against Bolton.’’

It was a bitter-sweet day for di Canio to round off a controversial week.

The Italian striker threw a tantrum after being substituted in Monday’s 1-0 win at Fulham, and claimed his strike partner Frederic Kanoute should have gone off instead.

But in typical di Canio style he shrugged off the controversy and marked his 100th league appearance for the Hammers by stroking home a dubious penalty after 22 minutes.

To complete a happy ending to the saga, Kanoute - who scored the winner at Craven Cottage - got the second goal after 33 minutes at the end of an exquisite four-man move.

But the week has now finished on a low note for di Canio, who must await the results of the scan.

For Charlton boss Alan Curbishley it was a tale of two penalties.

Di Canio used all his guile to win one and score for the Hammers, while Paul Konchesky blasted one over the bar after 71 minutes - the Addicks’ fourth successive miss from the spot.

‘‘The referee has to give it as he sees it, but I’d like to see their penalty again,’’ said Curbishley.

‘‘Di Canio used every ounce of his ability and every ounce of his professionalism and got himself a penalty.’’

Curbishley refused to condemn Konchesky for his miss, after the England Under-21 midfielder took responsibility following two missed penalties by Graham Stuart and one from Jason Euell in recent weeks.

‘‘Paul has taken them throughout his career in the reserves and he felt confident taking on the responsibility,’’ said Curbishley.

‘‘That was our fourth miss from the spot but I hope it is not regarded as a dent in his performance because I thought he was excellent today.

‘‘I thought we were the better side apart from when they scored their two goals and we deserved something from the game.

‘‘We changed our shape today and settled well, but our problem was letting in the first goal again we cannot keep asking ourselves to come back from 2-0 down.

‘‘This was a big game today because a win for us would have seen us pushing for seventh place.

‘‘But it wasn’t to be and I have asked my players to try and finish in the top 10 now this season.’’