Gold doubts Cole return

West Ham co-chairman David Gold has played down suggestions Joe Cole could make a 'romantic' return to Upton Park this summer.

Hammers chief unsure whether Allardyce wants England midfielder

West Ham co-chairman David Gold has played down suggestions Joe Cole could make a 'romantic' return to Upton Park this summer. Liverpool midfielder Cole's future looks set to be discussed again this summer following the end of a season-long loan at French club Lille. The 30-year-old insists he has unfinished business at Anfield amid speculation linking him with a second spell at the recently-promoted Hammers. However, Gold is unsure whether boss Sam Allardyce is interested in Cole as he plots their return to the Premier League next season.

Busy

"It's going to be a busy summer," Gold said. "Joe Cole moving to West Ham would be a fantastic and romantic thing to happen but I would be very, very surprised. "He didn't come up on Sam Allardyce's list of players he wants to sign a couple of months ago. "Whether that's still the case, only time will tell." Cole made 150 appearances for the East London club before leaving for Chelsea in a £6.6m deal in August 2003.