Roeder: Wants new faces (PhilCole/GettyImages)

And the West Ham manager is confident of introducing two more players to bolster the Hammers in their battle against the drop.

Roeder said he is identified the players he wants and is trying to strengthen a leaky defence and bring in a target man as West Ham, and youngster Jermain Defoe in particular, have struggled in the absence of the injured Freddie Kanoute.

`We have been working hard for the last two months on targeting players and we have certainly got a decent list,' said Roeder.

`It is no secret that I would like to bring in a striker with some physical presence so that when Freddie Kanoute is unavailable we can maintain that physical presence in the attacking part of the team.

`If I can bring in more than one player and also bring in a defender, that would not go amiss.'

Roeder's targets are likely to come from abroad, as he is aiming for loan signings rather than permanent transfers.

He added: `We are really just waiting to talk to the players and to find out if they are going to be available and if they would like to come and join us.

`Lots of players relish the opportunity to come and play in the Premiership; they relish the opportunity to come and play for a London club. It is a massive attraction for players around the world.

`Our position in the table at the moment doesn't help but I still think there are players who could help us who would come, particularly on loan, with a view that if things went well then they would stay with us after that.

`There is an amount of money for loan signings and that's why I believe that I will be able to get at least two players.

`I think that there are one or two teams that will come out of the UEFA Cup in the next couple of weeks and I think that some of the players in their squads will be available.

`The whole of Europe is really struggling financially and I think that some players who you might think wouldn't be allowed to leave, will be allowed to leave just to get them off of the wages for six months.'

Roeder will have Kanoute back in action against Southampton for the first time in nine weeks after the French striker recovered from a groin injury.