West Ham could be down to the bare bones in attack against Everton after Carlton Cole picked up an injury.
Ashton could be only fit striker for Toffees test
West Ham face being down to just one fit striker for Saturday's clash with Everton after Carlton Cole aggravated a long-standing hip problem.
Cole sustained the injury during West Ham's 2-1 defeat to Everton in their Carling Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.
Cole joins Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora on the sidelines, leaving Alan Curbishley with a major selection problem ahead of the visit of Everton.
Dean Ashton is still chasing full match fitness but started his first game since October in the 2-1 defeat and may have to lead the line on his own this weekend.
Double figures
"We are into double figures again on the injury list and one or two of the players came off suffering last night. I will have to see what I have left for the weekend," said Curbishley.
"When you come into the quarter-final of the cup and you can't get a forward on the bench it is frustrating.
"The injuries showed up. They were sharper and more physical than us."
Cole revealed he has been struggling with the injury for the last few weeks.
"I have been playing with a bad hip for about four or five weeks now and last night it just seized up," said Cole.
"It restricted me a bit and I couldn't influence the game as much as I wanted to."
