Carlton Cole is desperate for a return to first-team action for the Hammers after coming through another 90 minutes with the Development Squad.
The has been battling back to match fitness after re-signing for the club two weeks ago, and was an unused substitute in the 3-1 home loss to Manchester City on Saturday evening.
And Cole is now eager to be given a chance by Sam Allardyce and help West Ham get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
He told whufc.com: “I want to get back in the thick of things now, I had a taste of the bench on Saturday against Manchester City and I just wanted to get on so much.
“The manager felt it was best not to throw me in at the deep end so fast, to try and get this game under my belt and be available for selection in the other first team games.
“I need the minutes under my belt and I’ve now played two 90 minutes so, hopefully, I can convince the manager to get me in the squad, coming on as a sub or even starting a game sometime soon.”
And after training with the club’s youth players in an attempt to get fit, Cole has some good words to say about the club’s young prospects.
“There are some brilliant, very promising players,” he added.
“In all positions they’re very solid, strong and hopefully they can go on to be good players for the club.
“That’s the main aim, to develop them in these conditions and Nick’s doing a brilliant job with that. The players just have to listen to him, trust him and he’ll make sure they come through.”
