With the departure of Raimond van der Gouw, who never actually played for the first team in his time as understudy to David James, Steve, whose contract was up in the summer, has decided to remain with West Ham rather than pursue his career elsewhere.
"Steve has had a horrendous time with injuries to his hands which are of course most important to a goalkeeper," says Glenn Roeder of the youngster who played the second half at Bournemouth.
"He has had both his schapoids screwed in and since that he hasn't had any reaction and he feels good.
"I pulled him in on the first day and said to him it is the most important season of his life; at the moment he clearly steps up to be David's number two and if he is going to do that I have to be confident that if he is needed he can do the job and I am sure he can do.
"He hasn't played a lot of football in the last year which hasn't helped his development; young players need to play to get better and there is no point them sitting on the bench for long periods because that doesn't give them a chance to improve.
"Although Steve will be sitting on the bench behind David James he will be getting a regular game every week in the reserves.
"He can take what he learns from his training practices into his games.
"He has signed for another year and like all of them he is taking training very seriously and is working very hard.
"He is looking as fit as he has ever done and I believe goalkeepers should do the same fitness work as the outfield players preseason because if you are physically fit you will be mentally fit as well.
"Goalkeepers have to stay mentally alert for long periods between making saves."
As for David James, Glenn adds:
"As far as I am concerned David is with us and will be staying with us; he has had a good summer where he has played all the England games and done extremely well.
"It is good that Sven-Goran Eriksson has said that being in the first division won't affect his position being the goalkeeper.
"He has got the shirt at the moment and I don't see why he doesn't keep it and that is the same for all our international players, that their place in the national team won't be jeopardised - it is important to the players."