According to Talk Sport, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce have given his support to Carlton Cole by insisting that the striker still has a future at the club, despite the arrival of Andy Carroll.

Cole was an integral member of the side that gained promotion back to the Premier League last season scoring 15 goals for the club in all competitions. However, the loan signing of £35 million Andy Carroll from Liverpool saw Cole immediately dropped to the bench in West Ham’s 3-0 victory over Fulham.

However, Carroll picked up a hamstring injury during that game ruling the 23-year-old out for six weeks. Cole deputised for Carroll in West Ham’s recent goalless draw against Norwich City at Carrow Road on Saturday. However, the former England international was eventually substituted following a disappointing display.

Despite this, Allardyce says that when Carroll does eventually make his return from injury next month, it will not mean that Cole will be shut out completely, “It’s one where you have to look at it and say what am I going to do? Am I going to shrivel up and die or am I going to roll up my sleeves and fight?”

The Hammers manager does appreciate however that the acquisition of Carroll couldn’t have been easy for Cole, “He‘s got stiff competition because he’s [Carroll] all of a sudden seen as a centre-forward that has come from Liverpool, who Kenny [Dalglish] paid £35 million for.”

The West Ham boss believes that the competition for places in the striking department is healthy for all Premier League clubs, “In this league, and when you’re at a football club, when you’ve got competition it has to bring the best out of you. And it is as simple as that.”

Allardyce is also adamant that Cole’s confidence has not been knocked by the arrival of Carroll at the Boleyn Ground, “Not really because Carlton knows about the Premier League. We’re only four games in.”

The 28-year-old Cole will be hoping to get off the mark in this Premier League campaign as the Hammers look to continue their impressive start at home to Sunderland on Saturday.