PAOLO Di Canio believes West Ham can win the Premier League title if the Irons' players play with the same level of passion as the Upton Park crowd.

The Italian forward, who was back at the Boleyn Ground for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, was taken aback by the welcome he received from the Hammers supporters, who sang his name repeatedly.

And afterwards Di Canio, who played 118 times in claret and blue between 1999 and 2003, spoke of his joy at returning to the East End for the first time since his departure to Charlton Athletic.

"It was a special day for me because I've not had a chance to come back in the last five years," he told WHUTV.

"It made me feel very excited to come back and see the game and be here.

"I made lots of friends here and the crowd always has a lot of passion. I had a big emotion inside me."

And Di Canio, now 39, believes that passion can one day carry the Irons to Premier League glory.

"If the squad plays with the passion the fans put in at Upton Park they can win the championship because they are the best fans in the world in my opinion," said the Rome-born star.

The former Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli and Lazio player also believes manager Alan Curbishley, who he played under for during the 2003/04 season at Charlton, is the right man to lead the Irons forward.

"Alan is a good man and a great manager," Di Canio added.

"I had the chance to work with him at Charlton. He's a great man and works hard and I think he gives the tactical system in the way he wants and the players follow him in the right way.

"I think he is one of the best managers in England."