Di Canio: I'm fitter than ever before

Paolo di Canio believes he is fitter now than in his prime at Juventus thanks to a secret new stimulant - his wife's orange juice.

The charismatic West Ham striker missed the end of last season with a knee injury, but is confident he is now back to full fitness.

He said: "Right now my weight is 751/2 kilos and when I was playing for Juventus seven years ago my weight was 71.

"But the reason for that weight gain is simply I work very hard in the gym - I don't take anything illegal.

"All I add to my training regime is the orange juice made by my wife!"

He is also certain that Jermain Defoe will be the striker to watch this season and has advised Serie A clubs to take a look at the young Hammer-He added: "If any big clubs in Italy came to me to find out which young player could make it in Serie A I'd have no hesitation in telling them to buy Jermain.

"I know him well because I have seen him develop and although Jermain only played in parts of some games last season he still scored 11 or more goals.