Roeder to undergo brain operation
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Your support makes all the difference.Glenn Roeder, the West Ham manager, who yesterday left intensive care, is expected back at work as early as mid-June but must first undergo brain surgery.
The 47-year-old collapsed after last Monday's 1-0 Upton Park victory against Middlesbrough and has had eight days' treatment for a blocked blood vessel at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. Doctors say that Roeder made very good progress over the weekend and are confident he will make a full recovery. He will have his operation during the next few weeks and is due back in his office at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground in east London within six to eight weeks.
A club statement read: "West Ham United are delighted to report Glenn Roeder has made very good progress over the past few days and is now out of intensive care. Tests have revealed a small lesion in the brain which will require neuro-surgery in the near future. A full recovery and return to work is expected within the next six to eight weeks."
In Roeder's absence, the West Ham director Trevor Brooking was appointed caretaker manager for the final three games of the season. The former England international made an excellent start, with Sunday's 1-0 success at Manchester City lifting the Hammers to within two points of fourth-bottom Bolton.
Whether Roeder resumes control of a team in the Premiership or the First Division now rests on the results of Brooking's last two matches at the helm, at home to Chelsea on Saturday and at Birmingham next Sunday.
The club statement added: "Glenn's wife, Faith, would like to thank all those who have sent messages of best wishes and support, especially those from many hundreds of Hammers fans. Faith has also requested that the family's privacy continues to be respected at this time."
Saturday's Upton Park meeting with Chelsea could see the return of Paolo Di Canio. The Italian forward, who was ignored by Roeder after making a series of outspoken comments about the club, missed Sunday's game with a stomach problem but was back in training on Monday.
Brooking said that he would give the veteran striker Les Ferdinand until the last possible moment to prove his fitness for the game against Chelsea. The former England international was feared to have broken his leg in a collision with the Manchester City goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel at Maine Road, but X-rays have revealed only bad bruising.
Brooking said yesterday: "I haven't ruled him out for this weekend. We know the sort of lad he is so we'll see how he progresses and make a decision on him very late."
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