Don to repay Godfather

Thankfully, Roeder is on the mend after collapsing shortly after the 1-0 win against Middlesbrough on Bank Holiday Monday.

Under Trevor Brooking, the club will give themselves a real relegation lifeline if they can win the London derby.

And Hutchison - who is likely to start with Joe Cole and Steve Lomas both struggling with injuries - knows victory will only help Roeder's recuperation from a minor stroke.

Roeder paid a club record £5million to sign the Scotland international from Sunderland in 2001.

"He showed a lot of faith in me by spending that amount of money and I want to live up to that faith," says the 31-year-old.

"When I did my cruciate last season it was a nightmare. Glenn was one of the most supportive people. He told me I could go anywhere in the world to get it fixed and that the club were right behind me.

"Christian Dailly and myself have been away with Scotland this week and we call the club doctor every day to check on how Glenn is doing. Trevor Brooking told us before the match at Manchester City on Sunday that Glenn was making a good recovery and was proved a good psychological boost for the players."

Hutchison played an hour for Scotland against Austria and says after a bit-part season at West Ham, he is feeling better with each appearance.

"I had six months with the cruciate and since then I have needed games," he says. "I had 45 minutes against Man City and an hour against Austria. I think I am at 95% now and the other 5% will come through matches."

Brooking is such a legend at West Ham it is little surprise he has been welcomed with open arms at Upton Park.

Hutchison, who won his 23rd cap for Scotland on Wednesday, also makes the point that Brooking and Roeder have similar personalities.

"Trevor's not too different from Glenn in terms of his approach, they are both quiet but intelligent," says Hutchison.

"Trevor was unusually animated on the bench against Manchester City, it shows how much West Ham staying up means to him."

Brooking's reaction at Maine Road will be nothing if Hutchison scores a last minute winner against Chelsea!

Don Hutchison was speaking to Joe Bernstein

Did You Know: This is Hutchison's second spell at West Ham. His first came between 1994 and 1996 when his house-mate at Liverpool Jamie Redknapp recommended Hutch to his dad, Hammers boss Harry Redknapp.

Don Hutchison

Nationality: Scottish
Place of Birth: Gateshead, England 
Date of Birth: 9 May 1971 
Weight: 11 08 
Height: 6' 1''
Club: West Ham United 
Position: Midfielder