Last Updated: Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:10
West Ham have been handed a major boost on the injury front as Carlton Cole does not require surgery to his recently injured knee.
There had been a fear that the England hitman would need an operation to repair damaged ligaments after he limped out of Saturday's win over Burnley.
That is not now the case and although he will be out for a few weeks the prognosis is far better than it had been a couple of days ago.
West Ham have declined to give exact details of Cole's injury, or the likely lay-off period but a spokesman said: "Having been closely assessed in recent days, he will start his rehab with the aim of being back as soon as possible."