West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola was a relieved man after an x-ray revealed no break on the ankle of striker Carlton Cole.

 

England international Cole was withdrawn from the Hammers fifth round FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough at Upton Park at the weekend and it was feared that the damage was severe. However, whilst he will be missing for at least a fortnight, the news could have been so much worse for a team that has already lost Dean Ashton for the remainder of the season, also with an ankle injury.

Unfortunately, Portuguse forward Luis Boa Morte’s groin injury, also sustained during Saturday’s 1-1 draw, will sideline him for a minimum of a month deepening the London clubs worries over the diminishing choice of forward line.

At the other end of the pitch, West Ham keeper Jimmy Walker has indicated his wish to extend his loan stint at Colchester until the end of the season. Had it not been for a combination of the bad weather and Walker’s technical ineptitude in respect of fax machines, the deal would have been completed last week. "I am just hoping they can sort it out and I can stay until the end of the season because I think we have started something really good here” Walker said.