Cole injury blow for West Ham

West Ham United’s European ambitions took a major blow after it was revealed that striker Carlton Cole would be out of action for six weeks due to injury. Cole aggravated his groin problem in England’s international friendly against Slovakia on March 27. He was a fifteenth minute substitute for Emile Heskey, but himself lasted only eighteen minutes before he was replaced by Peter Crouch.

With Cole out, Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola now has to do without both him and Dean Ashton. Midfielders Valon Behrami and Jack Collison are also on the long term injury list.

David Di Michele and Diego Tristan are the only front line strikers left at Upton Park currently. The loan window has also been shut, which means Zola cannot bring in somebody on a temporary basis.