Hammers salute Kanoute

Kanoute (left) opens the scoring against Walsall

BBC Sport Online's Adrian Harte profiles West Ham striking star Frederic Kanoute.

Although somewhat obviously dubbed King Kanoute by the tabloids, a more appropriate appellation for West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute would be King Midas, for at the minute everything he does turns to gold.

His two goals and amazing assist in the Hammers' 3-2 FA Cup victory over Walsall brought the French forward to national prominence, but even before that cameo Kanoute had subtly supplanted Paolo di Canio in the affections of Hammers fans.

At 6' 4" he is a menace in the air, but his height belies his effectiveness on the ground.

He is similar to compatriot Thierry Henry in his ability to turn away from defenders and in his lightning pace.

As the Walsall victory illustrated, he also possesses a devastating finish.

However, his finest attribute is arguably his positional sense, with his trademark diagonal runs providing easy targets for the precise passing of Joe Cole and Frank Lampard.

Redknapp pulled off another transfer coup

Unlike many of the growing French fraternity in the Premiership, Kanoute was a relative unknown on this side of the Channel at least when he arrived from Olympique Lyonnais in the summer.

Harry Redknapp has a well merited reputation for wheeling and dealing in the transfer market, but the manager who has been stung before in foreign dealings surpassed himself in luring the 23-year-old to East London last season.

Initially signed on loan for the final three months of last season and he secured a more permanent tenure with two goals in eight performances.

He was signed for £4m but the Hammers made a net £2m profit on the deal which saw Marc-Vivien Foe head in the opposite direction to Lyon.

Kanoute's form this season has been even more impressive with 10 goals in 23 appearances in all competitions.

That strike rate and his impressive all-round game led to approaches from Chelsea and Liverpool, but Kanoute instead extended his contract until 2005.

Kanoute's experience at Lyon explains his reluctance to exchange a regular starting place at Upton Park for a squad role at Stamford Bridge or Anfield.

He made his debut for the Lyon first team aged 20 but despite representing France at under-21 level he was never a regular, with Sonny Anderson and Tony Vareilles the preferred attacking line-up.

Kanoute has scored 10 goals this season

Indeed, Kanoute has no great affection for Lyon. He was sacked from the youth academy only to earn a late reprieve, missed most of the 1998/99 season with a groin injury and spent last season on the bench.

Unsurprisingly he says: "Why would I want to leave Upton Park to go to Chelsea or Liverpool, where I'd play one game in three or sit on the substitutes bench. I'm more than happy to be at West Ham.

"Because of my bad experience in Lyon, I know that one day the club can count on you and then the next day they've signed a big name and you're nothing.

"One day I'd be happy to join the big names like Liverpool or Chelsea, but I won't sign for them until I'll be sure to be a starter."

Kanoute's next target is likely to be a call-up to the French senior squad.

Of course, he faces a tough task with Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Sylvain Wiltord, but with four friendlies coming up in the next three months, Kanoute may get his chance.