Cole reckons he still has value

Carlton Cole clearly believes he’s still a major West Ham asset pointing to the game at Stoke as an example.

Speaking to the official website he said his introduction to the game gave the Stoke centre-backs – Ryan Shawcross and Marc Wilson – ‘a bit of entertaining’.

He said: “I think we knew we needed a bit of my presence up front in the second half. In the first half, Enner was trying his best but they have got two big boys at the back who needed a bit of entertaining!

“Enner got free in the second half and that’s how he got his goal. Stewart Downing has got an assist and a goal too and I’m just glad to be part of it.

“I just ruffled a few feathers and created a melee in the box. Their keeper gripped me and I wasn’t having that so I got them wound up and off their game a little bit.”