Paolo Di Canio is ready to play through the pain barrier to keep West Ham's European dreams alive.

The Italian has been struggling with an ankle injury, but trained yesterday, and manager Harry Redknapp said: "Paolo came in yesterday and said he was ready to have a pain-killing injection in his ankle if necessary. I've never seen anyone like him, he's desperate to play."

West Ham need to come back from 2-0 down at Upton Park, but have scored just once in their last five games and have not won in the League since October 3rd. They are likely to call on teenager Joe Cole to form a vital midfield partnership with Frank Lampard, and Redknapp says he is relying on Paolo Wanchope to end his goal drought.