Cole delight at Dyer return

Hammers striker believes Dyer return is like having a new signing

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 4th January 2009

Cole delight at Dyer return

Cole: Welcomes Dyer return

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West Ham United striker Carlton Cole believes that the return to fitness of midfielder Kieron Dyer is like having a new signing at the club.

Despite the January transfer window having only just opened speculation surrounds some of the club's big name players with Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Craig Bellamy all linked with moves away from Upton Park.

With so many players subject to bids from rival clubs Dyer's first appearance for 17 months, when he came off the bench in the Hammers' 3-0 win over Barnsley, on Saturday went somewhat unnoticed.

Dyer's 20-minute cameo in the third round of the FA Cup is sure to brighten the mood at Upton Park and Cole is one player who cannot wait to link up with the former Ipswich and Newcastle man.

"Kieron's been training brilliantly. He's such a good player, he reads the game so well for us," the former Chelsea striker enthused.

"He's going to be a great asset for the club. It's like a brand new signing for the club. He looked sharp when he came on. I congratulated him after the game. He's buzzing.

"Kieron and Bellamy are two rapid players to play alongside you and I'm happy they're both back in action."

With many Premier League managers preferring survival over silverware Cole insists that boss Gianfranco Zola, who won the FA Cup twice as a player, sees the trophy as a chance to win some long awaited silverware.

Honours

"The manager wants to do well in this competition and we've got to grind out results," he urged.

"We were expecting Barnsley to give us a hard time. They've given other teams a hard time in the cup in the past.

"We knew they'd set their stall out and they did. We had to just concentrate on our own game and get a result."

While the rest of squad enjoy two days off Dyer is expected to turn out for the reserves against Aston Villa on Monday to regain match sharpness.

The Hammers' recent good form, which has seen them record three successive wins following Saturday's result, coincides with Cole's own good form after his goal against Barnsley made it three goals in as many games for the first time since his Chelsea youth team days.

"I've not scored three goals in three games since I was in the youth team and Clarkey (Steve Clarke) was my youth team manager," he explained.

"He said to me: 'Our partnership's working again'. It's very important we keep on going now. I've got to get better and keep on with this momentum."