PAULO di Canio might be on his way back to Italy next year but in the meantime, he is determined to make sure he leaves his mark on West Ham.

The ubiquitous, multi-talented striker, whose proposed transfer to Manchester United broke down last month is out of the Reebok clash.

But he now wants to help develop the talent of "superkids" Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe.

"I don't want another contract," Di Canio has told his Upton Park bosses. "I have the next three months plus one more year then, for family reasons, I want to go back to Italy.

"Before then, I want to give my best, not only on the pitch but I want to try to help young players like Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe. I want to let them understand that they have to prove something every day - that is my mission."

Hammers' boss Glenn Roeder is resigned to losing the man they call Maestro but says he understands his decision to return to his homeland after spending so long in Britain.

"All good things must come to an end," Roeder says. "You have to remember that Paolo has been away from home for six years.

"He has a very strong and close knit family but, if he does go, I and the rest of the team will miss him terribly."

They will certainly miss him tomorrow when he continues a three-match suspension. Carrick will also be missing through injury but the Hammers will include star midfielder Cole and Defoe, who scored twice in Wednesday night's ill-fated FA Cup defeat at home to Chelsea, which ended in a dramatic 3-2, courtesy of a stoppage time John Terry goal.

Roeder was critical of his team's defending in the cup tie and will be hoping for a more solid performance at the Reebok, although with Cole, Defoe, in-form wide man Trevor Sinclair and possibly Freddie Kanoute in his ranks, he is unlikely to adopt a negative approach.

The tide has turned forn the Hammers' boss, whose job was reportedly on the line in the early weeks of the season but is now understood to be negotiating a three year extension to the one-year contract he signed when he succeeded Harry Redknapp last summer.

Meanwhile Sinclair, who has been "on offer" at £10 million for much of the season, now says his major goal is to keep West Ham clear of relegation trouble and earn a place in England's World Cup squad.

He made his international debut in England's last friendly match against Sweden and is hoping to be included when Sven Goran Eriksson names his latest squad on Sunday for the friendly with Holland in Amsterdam next week.

"Now I have to continue to do my best and hopefully get a reward at the end of it," he said.

"Anyone who is on the fringe or has been a regular in the squad has definitely got to be looking forward to the summer and being a part of the England World Cup squad."