Hammers midfielder and record signing Don Hutchison is set to play against Bolton in this weekend's crucial Premiership encounter - some nine months after his last first team appearance.
Hutchison, 31, looks set to return to the fold after completing 45 minutes for the reserves in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw with Fulham.The former Liverpool and Sunderland man was removed at half-time to protect himself - but all suggestions are that he will be back on Saturday in the squad to face Sam Allardyce's fellow-strugglers.
However the news concerning Freddy Kanoute is not quite as good - he is still thought to be a few days away from a full recovery, and was pulled out of the reserve team which faced Fulham.
Also out this weekend is Edouard Cisse, who has contracted chicken-pox from his son.
The game is the first of five in the next fifteen days for the Hammers - a period that will no doubt shape the rest of the season. As well as important league clashes with Bolton, Fulham (both home), Blackburn and Charlton (both away) the Hammers face first division high-flyers Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at the Boleyn on January 4th.
It's a tough schedule that Roeder has vehemently criticised:
"Whilst it is an opportunity to pick up points, it is madness to ask players to play that many times in a fortnight. The situation needs looking at.
"The people who compile the fixture list can have no grasp or understanding of the game. We are supposed to play five games in two weeks and keep everyone fit, so not only do you need some breaks on the pitch you need to be lucky with injuries as well.
"So far we haven't had that luck, what with Freddie Kanoute being out for 3 months and Paolo Di Canio out until February."
* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
