West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has insisted that Ricardo Vaz Te will not be frozen out at Upton Park.
Frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities, the Portuguese forward, 26, handed in a transfer request during the summer transfer window.
However, he was unable to secure a move away from East London.
Allardyce claims that Vaz Te is still a part of his plans and that it is up to the player to prove that he is worthy of more game time.
"Ricardo has never had a bad attitude," Allardyce told reporters. "What he is is a frustrated footballer.
"He thinks he should be playing on a more regular basis. Opportunities will arise. If he takes them, he will be in the team."
Vaz Te's two substitute appearances in the Premier League have given him less than 30 minutes of top-flight action so far this season.
However, he played the full 90 in the Hammers' 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town in the Capital One Cup, getting on the scoresheet in the process.
Robert Summerscales
