Dum Spiro, Spero

Kieron Dyer is hoping to get the all-clear today to start his long recovery from a broken leg. Dyer, 28, suffered the double leg break in a Carling Cup tie at Bristol Rovers in August in only his second game for the Hammers after a £6million move from Newcastle. According to the Sun, the midfielder is already targeting a place in next summer’s Euro 2008 finals. "It’s a very big day for me," he said. "I’m having an X-ray and if the specialist is happy I should be able to put weight on my leg." Looking ahead to the impending England games, Dyer added: "I have no doubt that we will get the results. It would be great if I could be involved. But I’m concentrating on rehab. The bones are pinned and it feels solid."

Another injured West Ham player with international ambitions has been assured by Steve McClaren today that he will get another chance to pull on an England jersey. Dean Ashton was forced to withdraw from the England squad for the Euro qualifiers against Estonia and Russia with a knee ligament injury that is likely to keep him out for six weeks. "I spoke to him on Monday and he was devastated," said the England manager. "I watched him play against Aston Villa on Saturday and when I left with five minutes to go he looked okay. It's terrible for him to miss out again but I've told him not to worry. Once he gets his fitness and form back he'll be in contention for a place."

Ashton's injury means only Carlton Cole is fit among the five forwards at Upton Park (gulp!). Henri Camara has a hamstring problem and Bobby Zamora will be out for two more weeks after knee surgery. Alan Curbishley may even be forced to push Luis Boa Morte into attack, although the manager hopes that Craig Bellamy will soon be available after a groin operation. Anton Ferdinand could also be out of action for a further six weeks while The Times report a possible setback in the recovery of Scott Parker, who Curbishley had hoped would return at the end of the month. Happily, Boa Morte showed he had recovered from the dead leg he picked up in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa by heading the winner for West Ham reserves in the 1-0 win over Tottenham today.

One further piece of good news is that Craig Bellamy has joined up with the Welsh international squad after recovering well from surgery on his groin last week. The club have declared themselves happy with the progress Bellamy has made since having the operation last Thursday out in Germany and fully support his wish to make himself available for Wales' two Euro 2008 qualifiers, against Cyprus and San Marino. The Mirror call it an sensational return for a player who had been expected to be sidelined for at least 12 days. Bellamy has been in light training with West Ham over the last couple of days and participated in full training with his Welsh team mates today in Cardiff before flying out to Cyprus for the first match.

Welsh FA spokesman Ceri Stennett said: "It has been something of a surprise. Craig had a groin operation last week and we were aware that he was training with West Ham, and the intention was to wait to see how he went and then, if he was okay, fly him out to Bologna on Monday to join up with the party heading for San Marino. Craig has had the same operation that Michael Owen has had, and Owen was back playing in just a few days. We were prepared to wait a little longer and for him to be monitored by West Ham. But Craig has always said to us that he wanted to travel for both matches, and now West Ham are happy for him to do so and for him to be available for both matches". If he plays in either of the qualifiers, it would mean him getting important match action under his belt ahead of West Ham's next league match, at home to Sunderland next weekend.

On a separate note, The Sun have continued their 'anyone but Robinson' campaign by trying to flog Robert Green to Arsenal, citing the keeper's frustration at being continually overlooked by Steve McClaren as a possible reason for the move. Andrew Dillon claims Arsene Wenger wants to buy our £6million-rated keeper as he remains unconvinced about his current stopper Manuel Almunia. The article intimates that Green could be receptive to an approach by one of the 'Big Four' and suggests the only sticking point could be that Green will demand first-team football.