Cole boost for Hammers

Influential centre-forward closing in on return

Last updated: 4th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cole boost for Hammers

Cole: Close to return

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Gianfranco Zola has handed West Ham supporters some New Year cheer with the news Carlton Cole is making good progress from a knee injury.

The star striker has been sidelined with the injury during what has been a troubled time for the club, both on and off the field.

Zola is starting to get key men fit and is hopeful that England hit-man Cole will soon be able to aid his side's bid to beat the drop.

"I don't want to force things," said Zola. "I think [his return] will be sooner rather than later."

The Italian tactician is also hopeful to be able to have senior players Jonathan Spector, Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Jack Collison and Guillermo Franco back next weekend.

One man who has epitomised the battling spirit Zola has called for is compatriot Alessandro Diamanti.

The forward grabbed his fourth goal in five matches to put the injury-hit Hammers ahead in the FA Cup at the weekend against Arsenal, only for Arsene Wenger's side to rally and eventually come out on top 2-1.

Diamanti dazzles

Zola feels the Italian forward, signed from Livorno during the summer, can help his side fend off the threat of relegation.

"You see them on the pitch, the way they run and the way they chase," said

Zola.

"There was a couple of times Diamanti was chasing back like a crazy man and that shows you how much the players care about this team."

He added: "I have told the players to continue what they are doing.

"We are getting to a point where all the hard work and commitment will come back to us.

"It is a matter of being strong mentally and I have no doubt we are destined for many good things.

"We will try to make it a good year for everybody.

"In my experience, every time something has been difficult in my life, I have always achieved what I was aiming for."

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