West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is keen to re-sign striker Carlton Cole, despite releasing him on a free just two months ago.
The Englishman’s contract ran out at Upton Park and the club decided not to renew his contract, but after Andy Carroll picked up a lengthy injury, The Hammers are now left with limited options in the striking department.
Despite being linked with several strikers in the transfer window, Allardyce failed to capture enough strikers, with only Mladen Petric coming in from Fulham.
Cole, who is training with West Ham to keep up fitness, has been told by the manager that he will be offered a new contract, if he can prove his fitness.
Allardyce said in the Daily Star: “He’s training with us at the moment and hopefully when Carlton gets fit enough to be part of the squad then we’ll talk to him about the contract situation.
“We still have one place available in our squad, with 24 players currently named, so we still have one place left for somebody.
“We have George McCartney back training with us, Joe Cole and Stewart Downing are very close to re-joining the team and after the Everton match they will probably be back in full training.
“If Carlton proves that he can be the player we all know he’s capable of being, then hopefully he’ll join us as well.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
