Alan Pardew is ready to stand guard over Jermain Defoe to keep Manchester United from prising him away from West Ham.
Defoe has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford during the January transfer window and his sale would help claw back the s£44.1 million sterling debt West Ham announced this week.
But Hammers boss Pardew insists the club must do everything they can to keep hold of their influential striker. He told the club's official website www.whufc.com: "I think he is going to be massive for us this year. If he was to be removed from the team, that would give us a major problem.
"He is totally committed while he is here to do his stuff for us. I honestly feel I can improve him and I want him to stay. I can't stress that too highly.
"The bottom line is that outside influences will mean other people will always be interested to have a piece of him because there is a meal ticket there for somebody - and a substantial one at that. We have to be on our guard and protect him - and that is what I am going to try and do."