Di Canio ready to return home

Paolo Di Canio has fuelled speculation that he could return to former club Lazio in the New Year by telling a radio station in Rome: "Wearing a Lazio shirt again would be fantastic for me."

Lazio are known to be looking for an attacking alternative after losing Sergio Conceicao to Parma as part of the deal to take Hernan Crespo to Rome, and have been linked with both the West Ham man and Barcelona’s Marc Overmars.

Lazio coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had increased speculation when he revealed his interest in Di Canio before his side’s victory against Bari on Friday night. "Di Canio could be useful," Eriksson said.

And now the Hammers' attacking midfielder appears to be growing used to the idea of returning to Rome.

"I have always said that I wanted to end my career in England as now I regard it as my footballing home," Di Canio said on Thursday. "In my opinion it would be foolish to come back to Italy.

"But I would make that decision for Lazio with pleasure, and I would do so in a hurry.

"Everyone knows what I think about Lazio. I will always be a fan and wearing that shirt again would be fantastic for me.

"But for now I would like to concentrate on the next two West Ham games - against Chelsea and Manchester United - and then we will see."

Di Canio even went so far as to consider how often he would play if he did make the move.

"The eventual decision of returning to Rome involves some risks. I mean I could lose my shirt as I would be joining a team that has already won much," he said. "But I am sure that Lazio can go on winning."

However he concluded by pledging that, if he were to return to Italy, it would be to only one club.

"Even if Juventus or Milan offer me three times the money, I would only come back to Italy to join Lazio," he said.