Kieron Dyer is determined to play a role in West Ham United's survival battle.

Last month, joint-chairman David Gold was quoted as saying West Ham have a player earning £60-70,000 a week "who hardly plays at all who might have to accept retirement" - comments widely interpreted as being aimed at Dyer.

But the 31-year-old former England international has hit back at his critics.

Dyer said: "If you buy a football club and you are the owners, you say what you want. They are entitled to their opinions. Everyone has forgotten that I probably had a worse leg break than Aaron Ramsay and have had four operations to try to get it right.

"I have put in everything I can to get fit for this club but it is not enough for some people. All I can do is get my head down. I have the backing of the manager and hopefully I can get there."

Dyer seemed to have the backing of West Ham's fans too, judging by their reaction when he came on in Saturday's defeat to Bolton.

"That is good to hear," he said. "Hopefully I can change some other people's minds."