Pardew in a position to dismiss Marlon bid

"Marlon is a quality player. He challenges, holds the ball up well and if we see him chasing and working hard that triggers everyone else.

"In training he is hard to play against and it is good for me because I am still young and learning my trade. The fact the club turned down a bid from a Premiership club from Marlon indicates how good he is and how important he is to our team."

Harewood scored West Ham's goal in Saturday's 1-0 win against Norwich in the FA Cup third round and showed he could play as a lone striker.

The victory earned a good reception from the Upton Park fans after they had jeered the team during their Championship defeat by Sheffield United last week.

Ferdinand said: "We had to prove to the fans that we were committed because against Sheffield United we did not look like we were.

"We had to prove them wrong. They are great fans but they have a right to get on people's backs when we are not showing commitment.

"Our fans are more passionate than any others that I have played in front of. We won them over again but we have to kick on now and show some consistency. If we get that there will be no stopping us."

If Pardew's side can finally put a winning run together in the league, Ferdinand could have a big role to play.

He was used in his preferred position of centre-back against Norwich after returning from illness and looked more comfortable than he does as a right-sided defender.

The teenager, younger brother of Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand, was dominant in the air and never looked ruffled.

He said: "Centre-back is my preferred position. I play better there.

"I am always going to get compared with Rio, I have grown up with that since I was aged 14. It was hard at first but now it does not bother me. I just want to keep going."