Fear for Tevez as Argentinian plays through pain barrier

Tevez on Friday night declared himself fit after an ankle injury threatened to rule him out and a close friend said: "He is desperate to play in this game.

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"He probably shouldn't because the injury is sore, but after all the furore of the week and the support of the West Ham fans, he will be there."

Tevez will collect the Player of the Year award at a packed Upton Park in what could be his last home game for the club.

Kia Joorabchian, the businessman who owns Tevez, met the West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson on Friday to thrash out a deal.

The source close to Tevez added: "He would play on one leg for the West Ham fans. He wants to score a goal as a thank-you because they have been behind him during this difficult time."

Tevez has been having daily sessions in the oxygen tent to speed up his recovery from the injury, sustained during an intense training ground session.

Marlon Harewood will be on the bench as a stand-by in case Tevez struggles to complete the game.

The controversy over the Tevez transfer looks set to escalate after four of his club's relegation rivals last night made a pact to fight the Premier League in the event that one is relegated instead of the Hammers.

Officials from Fulham, Sheffield United, Charlton and Wigan gathered in the Harrods offices of Mohamed Al Fayed and reached an agreement that will put Premier League officials under enormous pressure.

Incensed by the Independent Premier League Commission's decision not to dock West Ham points for a serious breach of the rules earlier this season, the clubs agreed to fire off a three-page warning that they will take legal action against the Premier League unless the transfer is re-investigated.

Meanwhile, West Ham boss Alan Curbishley revealed his men were so pumped up ahead of Saturday's clash he had to call a halt to the training session in which Tevez was injured.

Curbishley said: "We had to cut short the training because it was a bit lively. One or two of them got a knock, dead legs, so we stopped that session.

"It was quite a small area and there were a couple of tackles flying in. It's happened before. It was just a high-tempo session.

"I've never criticised the players for their training. That has never been a problem. It's been about transporting it on to the pitch.

"After we lost the Tottenham game, the penny dropped for one or two of us. Our work-rate has been upped.

"The tempo has been upped and individually the players have worked harder. You do find some luck when that happens. It's amazing really."

Curbishley knows that for all the spirit that has been in evidence during a run of five wins in seven games, it will all count for nothing if Bolton are not sent away pointless from Upton Park on Saturday or if there is surrender at Manchester United next weekend.