Grant likely to start Keane

West Ham manager Avram Grant is convinced new signing Robbie Keane can help the club move away from the threat of relegation.

Grant was determined to land the signature of the Tottenham striker and had to wait patiently as the two English Premier League clubs negotiated a move for the Republic of Ireland international.

Keane has joined West Ham on loan until the end of the season and will sign for a further two years if the club manage to stay in the Premier League.

Grant has no doubts that Keane has the attributes to be a major success at Upton Park and feels he can make an immediate impact when they face Blackpool on Wednesday.

Grant said: “I have always been a fan of players who have character. You need character to win games and to improve the team and Robbie is a good character.”

“You can already see it in the training he has done with us and he is a very intelligent player. I’m sure he will be good for us.”

“We are playing with a system which is good for all the players like Wayne Bridge, Demba Ba, Gary O’Neil and Robbie Keane.”

“They like to play football which we are playing so hopefully they will have many years here.”

Grant has nothing but admiration for the job Ian Holloway has done at Blackpool this season.

Blackpool were the strong favourites for an immediate return to the Championship, but Holloway has defied all the odds and his side have been pushing for a place in the top half of the table.

Grant added: “For me, they are the team of the season and Ian Holloway is the manager of the season.”

“They did miracles because everyone said they would quickly be on their way to the Championship again, and also I like how they play football.”

Grant is set to hand an immediate debut to Keane, but fellow signing Ba may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.