Anton looking to follow big brother

At 17 Anton Ferdinand is six years younger than Rio but his style of play has drawn comparisons with the new Manchester United signing, and he also plays in defence.

"He has obviously got a big brother to look up to and that makes it hard for him, there is no doubt about that," Roeder told the club's official website. 

"It is more difficult, but we have got to treat him as Anton Ferdinand and judge him on his own merits.

"He is only 17 and it is a good few months before he turns 18, but we are hopeful - he improved a lot last year.

"The way he moves, tucks his arms in, and sets off, you could easily mistake him for Rio - they are very similar in that respect."

Teenager Anton has just broken into The Hammers' first team squad and is quick to emphasise the he is not Rio Ferdinand mark two.

"I am Anton, not Rio," said the budding starlet.

"People have to remember that I play my own game, people have always drummed into me that we are separate people, and that is the right way to go about it.

"I would love nothing more than to follow in his footsteps and I realise people will probably always try to compare us.

"But the fact is that we are different."