Roeder diagnosed with blocked blood vessel

Glenn Roeder is suffering from a blocked blood vessel to the brain, doctors announced last night. Although there was no official confirmation, the West Ham United manager, who collapsed after Monday's victory against Middlesbrough, will not take charge for the rest of the season.

The diagnosis was revealed in a joint statement by the club and the Royal London Hospital where Roeder, 47, was spending a second night. His condition was described as stable.

It had been initially thought that Roeder had suffered a heart attack after collapsing and complaining of chest pains 90 minutes after Monday's game. But the hospital statement read: "Mr Glenn Roeder continues to be in a stable condition and continues to make satisfactory progress. He has undergone further investigations and scans throughout the day and we are still awaiting the results of these.

"However, we can confirm that there has been a blockage of a minor blood vessel in his brain. Doctors are continuing to carry out tests and will be in a position to make a fuller diagnosis once these are completed."

Such blockages can be stress-induced and can, also, cause strokes although there was no indication that Roeder, who has no history of health problems but has been under severe pressure, was suffering such effects.

Roeder had finished his post-match press conference, during which he had appeared confused, and was in his office on Monday evening with the reserve-team coach, Roger Cross, and Ludek Miklosko, the goalkeeping coach, when he was taken ill. He was treated by club doctor Ges Steinbergs and then, after a relapse, by an emergency doctor and paramedics before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

During the game ­ which followed on from Saturday's bitter defeat at Bolton Wanderers ­ Roeder had appeared subdued as he sat next to the first-team coach, Paul Goddard. When he did stand, he was barracked by some supporters.

It emerged yesterday that Roeder's home in Essex had been attacked before the game against Middlesbrough. A bottle was thrown at a window and Roeder searched the streets before reporting the incident.

It is not known whether it was an isolated attack or football-related vandalism but the incident could only have served to increase Roeder's anxiety about the safety of his wife, Faith, and three children.

It is likely that Roeder's assistants, Goddard and Cross, will take charge for Sunday's game against Manchester City and the final two Premiership fixtures against Chelsea and Birmingham City. West Ham, third from bottom of the table, are favourites for relegation.

The players reported for training in Roeder's absence. The full-back Nigel Winterburn said: "I would think there's a good chance someone will take over and the obvious choices are Paul and Roger. There are only three games to go so it's not even thinkable to bring someone in when the manager's ill in hospital."

Les Ferdinand added: "He had a smile on his face and seemed his normal self in the dressing room after the game. The fans have been venting their frustration but, after winning, he seemed pretty relaxed."