The West Ham United manager Glenn Roeder could be back behind his desk at Upton Park in a matter of weeks after a dramatic improvement in his condition.

Roeder (47), who collapsed after West Ham's 1-0 Premiership win over Middlesbrough nine days ago, has been in intensive care at the Royal London Hospital after being diagnosed with a blocked blood vessel in his brain.

But Roeder was moved to a private ward yesterday and, although he will undergo surgery in the next few weeks to remove a small lesion from his brain, he is expected to make a full recovery.

A club statement read: "West Ham United are delighted to report that Glenn Roeder has made very good progress over the past few days and is now out of intensive care.

"He will require neurosurgery in the near future, but a full recovery and a return to work is expected within the next six to eight weeks."

The club's assistant manager, Paul Goddard, said: "It has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone and for me personally, as a good friend of Glenn's as well as a colleague."

Goddard said that he and the players were deeply moved when Roeder's wife, Faith, and daughter Holly visited the club's Chadwell Heath training ground before Sunday's match at Manchester City to talk to club captain Steve Lomas and team captain Joe Cole.

He said: "That took remarkable courage in the circumstances and I think it had a wonderful affect on team morale."

The players proved it in a thrilling 1-0 victory under caretaker manager Trevor Brooking, who'll remain in charge until the end of the season.

The result gave the Hammers a chance of beating the drop, though they'll probably need to win their final two games, against Chelsea at Upton Park Saturday and at Birmingham Sunday week.