West Ham fans should pray that knee problems do not restrict the number of appearances Carlton Cole can make for the rest of the Premier League season.
The England forward did not make the starting line-up at Stamford Bridge last week as he only managed to train twice because of his knee problem and it could be a worry if the area flares up again in the coming months.
West Ham are only three points ahead of the Premier League relegation places and although the online odds suggest they are safe, the Hammers still need to face the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City before the end of the season.
The Hammers also have a number of relegation six-pointers against Wolves and Wigan and those could be games when Cole is vital to their attack. Although Gianfranco Zola signed three new forwards in the transfer window, Cole remains the most dangerous forward at Upton Park.
Zola has been quick to quash reports that Cole’s knee could affect his appearances in the future, but it could be a real worry for West Ham fans if the England striker’s name consistently failed to appear on the team sheet.
The manager recently moved to claim ten more points would be enough to avoid Premier League relegation and he needs the club’s forwards to score more goals if he is to hit this 37-point mark.
Sadly for Cole, the knee injury could dent his chances of claiming a place in the England squad for South Africa this summer.
The Football World Cup betting makes England third favourites to win the tournament and manager Fabio Capello has said he will only take fully fit players to the competition.
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