Sinclair: I'm happy to stay

West Ham's Trevor Sinclair has backed down over the transfer request he made earlier in the season saying that it is no longer an issue.

The England winger is determined to pursue his dream of European football at Upton Park and referred to his intention to leave the club as "case closed".

"I am probably enjoying it more than ever, and a lot of that is down to the players I play with. If they didn't support me it would be different," said Sinclair.

"They are a great set of lads, and I love working with them every day. The coaching staff are good, and I am enjoying it - I couldn't be happier.

"When I put the transfer request in, I was a bit disillusioned. But we have got to be strong characters and we can't let our football deteriorate, and I have not done that.

"I have kept giving my best for West Ham. The supporters deserve it because they spend a lot of their hard-earned cash watching us home and away, and it would be out of order for me to just throw the towel in and just start acting like a spoilt brat.

"I consider the case closed and I'll just get on with my game."

Sinclair is hoping to be included in England's squad tomorrow for next week's friendly against Holland in Amsterdam. Team-mate Joe Cole is also expected to have an opportunity to reinforce his World Cup credentials.

Cole has had one senior international appearance - as a substitute in the 4-0 win over Mexico last May - but England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson looks likely to give the 20-year-old West Ham midfielder at least part of a game against the Dutch.

Eriksson and his No 2, Tord Grip, have watched Cole regularly in recent weeks and have been impressed with his ability on the ball and his willingness to run at defenders.

If Islington-born Cole is given the chance to show what he can do against the Dutch he could find himself in the forefront of Eriksson's World Cup thinking. Goal-keeper David James also looks certain to be in Eriksson's squad.

Meanwhile, West Ham manager Glenn Roeder today contended that Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's stunning free- kick goal for Chelsea in the FA Cup replay should never have been allowed.

"Jimmy should have been made to take the kick again," said Roeder.

"I wasn't sure on the night but having seen the tape, it wasn't right.

"I was joking when I said that Graham Poll must have been over at the Chelsea training ground working at that routine but, in all seriousness, it was an honest mis-take by him.

"If the referee says that the player can take the free-kick quickly then I have no quibble with that, but David James could not see the ball until referee Poll stood aside and there was Jimmy about to blast the ball."

Roeder will be without suspended Tomas Repka for tomorrow's trip to Bolton.

Australian Hayden Foxe is likely to replace the Czech defender, but midfielder Don Hutchison is doubtful with a groin injury.

However, French striker Frederic Kanoute has declared himself fit. He was again hit by hamstring trouble and missed Wednesday night's 3-2 FA Cup fourth round defeat by Chelsea at Upton Park.

"That match came 24 hours too early for him but what is important is that he isn't going to miss the trip to Bolton," said Roeder.

"He needed a bit of rest and a couple of days training and he's fine now. It's good news because he is very important to us."

Kanoute's return to partner teenager Jermain Defoe, scorer of both his side's goals against Chelsea, is all the more vital to West Ham's attempts to stay clear of the relegation dogfight with their Italian skipper Paolo Di Canio still serving his three-match suspension.

Denmark international midfielder Stig Tofting could make his debut for Bolton if he gets international clearance in time after moving from Hamburg.