Fantasy Premier League

Hammers hit by Cole injury blow

Thu Dec 13 07:08PM by Jeremy

West Ham's Carlton Cole celebrates scoring the first goal of the game.

West Ham face being down to just one fit striker for Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton after Carlton Cole aggravated a long-standing hip problem.

The Upton Park side's injury crisis deepened when Cole was forced off in the second half of last night's Carling Cup quarter-final defeat to the Toffees.

The Hammers are already down to the bare bones with Craig Bellamy and Bobby Zamora on the long-term injury list, manager Alan Curbishley had no forwards available to even include on the bench last night.

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...

Cole was an early arrival at West Ham's Chadwell Heath training ground on Thursday morning to undergo treatment in the hope he will be passed fit to feature at the weekend.

...Matthew Etherington suffered a groin problem in last weekend's win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

And while the influential Nolberto Solano will return to the side on Saturday after being cup-tied, Luis Boa Morte took a knock to his thigh last night and also failed to make the full 90 minutes.

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Freddie as second striker? 

(4 user comments)

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User comments

  • (1)

    wat about henri camara, hes pacy

    Posted by: edwardolivermills on Thu Dec 13 08:33PM | Report abuse
  • (2)

    Even on the road, Everton's whole team, particularly the defenders, look enticing this week, based on the news above.

    Posted by: donegal08 on Thu Dec 13 10:25PM | Report abuse
  • (3)

    How is Carlton Cole even eligible for this weekend (forgetting the hip injury for a moment) – he just picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. That's an automatic suspension, isn't it? Did the FA not notice, or something?

    Posted by: nope_not on Thu Dec 13 11:52PM | Report abuse
  • (4)

    suspension was for next week.

    Posted by: jspitzberg on Fri Dec 14 12:18AM | Report abuse
  • 1 - 4 of 4