Roeder determined to keep Defoe

Glenn Roeder insisted today that Jermain Defoe will stay at West Ham, despite reports linking the striker with a £10million move to Manchester United.

Roeder, who also announced that Liverpool striker Neil Mellor will join on a year-long loan deal, said that Joe Cole's transfer to Chelsea meant that no other players needed to be sold.

Selling Cole was "very difficult" he admitted, but added: "the money that needed to be raised has been achieved. Any transfer decisions can now be made by the manager."

Asked about Defoe, Roeder said there had been no contact from Manchester United. He said: "It is my decision and I'll do everything I possibly can to keep him here."

Roeder described Defoe as "key" to West Ham's promotion prospects, and suggested that a season playing in the First Division would help to improve him as a player. He said: "If it's a bid of £10m (for Defoe) and it's worth £30m to the club to get back into the Premiership, it doesn't make sense to sell him.

"He doesn't lose value this time next year. He'll be a better player at the end of the season."

Roeder admitted he could understand the frustration of West Ham fans at the departures of some of the club's best young players. He said: "It's natural for fans of any club to feel disappointed in this situation. It would be unnatural if they didn't feel like that.

"But the directors had to make a financial decision. Make no mistake, whoever was here (as manager) the same things would have happened."

At an open training session at Upton Park, Roeder and his players received a warm reaction from a hundred or so supporters. When asked by fans about his future at the club, Defoe said he had been told to say nothing.

The reaction of supporters at the club's opening First Division match of the season at Preston is likely to be more hostile, with some Hammers fans planning to protest.

But Roeder remains confident about West Ham's chances of bouncing back to the Premiership. He believes Mellor and Defoe, along with new signing David Connolly, will be an effective combination up front. He said: "I have the same opinion of Neil Mellor as Gerard Houllier does. He's coming here for a year and he's an excellent prospect."