Premiership: Di Canio to return before end of season

West Ham captain Paulo di Canio is expected to be back in action before the end of this season after hearing that he does not need an operation on a knee injury he suffered on Saturday.

The Italian striker was taken to hospital for a scan after twisting his knee during his side’s 2-0 win over Charlton at Upton Park.

West Ham officials initially feared that the influential front-man had damaged the medial ligament in his left knee and would need surgery, but a scan revealed that he had merely strained the ligament.

Manager Glenn Roeder said there is a "good possibility" that di Canio will be back in the team before the end of the season in around four weeks’ time.