There will be no old pals' act for returning Hammer Iain Dowie when he brings his Oldham side to Upton Park tonight (7.45pm).

The former Irons striker is back on Worthington Cup third-round duty having made a promising start to his managerial career.

But Glenn Roeder's West Ham will be out to ensure there is no happy return for the man who became a crowd favourite in two spells in Claret and Blue.

"Iain certainly enjoyed playing for West Ham. He won the crowd over and now he is bringing his team here and should enjoy the occasion," said Roeder. "I'm sure that he is looking forward to the game as much as we are.

"But we are taking the Worthington Cup very seriously and we will put out our strongest possible side because we want to go as far as we can in the competition.

"That is the least you owe the sponsors when we are crying out for money to come into the game."

Dowie's bright start to life at Boundary Park has come as no surprise to Roeder, who was on the same UEFA coaching course at Lilleshall.

"I spent two weeks with him a couple of years ago when we did our UEFA A licenses together," he added.

"I could see then that he would make a very good coach and I am not surprised that Oldham are doing well in the Second Division."

Published Wednesday November 6, 2002

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