Roeder On Middlesbrough

Glenn Roeder says that Scott Minto will make his long awaited comeback against the Boro at the weekend - and Stuart Pearce will be captain.

Jermain Defoe will have to satisfy himself with a place on the bench, while youngster Shaun Byrne will also get a run out as a sub.

"The bench will be home produced which is a great testament to our academy system," says Glenn.

With injuries to so many senior players, Glenn admits that team selection has not been a huge issue for him, adding:

"We haven't got a great number of seniors, no more than a dozen, and it's laughable that we are talking about Michael Carrick and Joe Cole as being seniors when they are only teenagers.

"So it's not been so much about who we pick but what tactics we use on the day."

Scott's comeback is a timely one, given that Nigel Winterburn is out of action, and Glenn is delighted to welcome him back into the fold.

"Scott has definitely got a chance of being involved in a very significant way," he says.

"He had his best game in the reserves at Southampton this week and although he is not fully fit, he is getting there.

"He has been out for over a year, and if he can get a game in now I'm sure he will go into the close season feeling good."

Jermain Defoe is resricted to the bench because of the form of Svetoslav Todorov, and Glenn explains:

"Todorov deserves his chance to play alongside Fredi; he had a significant part to play in the two of the goals against Southampton recently.

"But Jermain has had a terrific season with his twenty goals for Bournemouth, and he will play his part."

The Hammers are 5/2 to win the game with Todorov 7/1 to open the scoring - click for details.

Another youngster likely to get a run out is Shaun Byrne, and Glenn says:

"Everyone talks about him being a left sided player but since Christmas he has had a new role at the club playing central midfield.

"He has got - and don't take this the wrong way - a lovely pair of legs, in other words he is very athletic.

"He can run all day and has scored some goals recently as well."

As for Stuart Pearce, Glenn reveals that he has not tried to persuade him to play on next season, explaining:

"He has had a terrific season, and all of these supporters' groups giving him awards can't be wrong.

"But it is entirely Stuart's decision; who knows what the future holds for him?

"Maybe if he stays he won't be involved in so many games; he played 40 or so this year, and, whereas he wouldn't have liked being involved in a rotation system 10 years ago, maybe now he could not expect to play every week but could still give a lot to the team playing 20 games.

"He is captain for the day for what might be his last game."

The debate about whether Joe Cole and Paolo di Canio can play in the same side is not something Glenn has to contend with since Paolo is recovering from a sinus operation, but Glenn says:

"Harry played them together, sometimes to great effect, but it will be the new manager's decision, not my problem.

"Joe has looked very sharp in training, as has Michael, while Frank Lampard has made a good recovery from his groin operation and could have played if this game was next week.

"All three will be hoping to be in the England squad announced on Sunday."

Glenn admits he has had to cast personal feelings aside this week, adding:

"After the first few days' disappointment from Monday on I have had to be very professional and grow into the job of preparing the boys for this game.

"No one has asked me about their future because they know the score.

"They have all enjoyed training and I have got to know them better; although I'm in every day I have always worked with my own group of younger players.

"We had Wednesday off in common with most professional clubs who don't have a midweek game, though Thursday's session was ruined by the weather which was as bad as it has been all winter.

"Friday was all about set plays, which are a very important part of  football." 

Davor Suker is not travelling to the north east, but youngsters such as Omer Riza and Adam Newton are.