Radoslav Kovac says a fit Carlton Cole is key to West Ham United's Premiership survival hopes.

The England striker has not featured since sustaining a knee injury in the 5-3 win over Burnley back in November but hopes to return this month.

Kovac told deniksport.cz: "We have a lot of injured players. The most devastating absence is the one of striker Carlton Cole.

"He is a fantastic player, he is strong in keeping the ball under control. Now it is (Guillermo) Franco who has been playing in his place.

"Franco is also a great striker, but he is all alone up front. I have recently seen the attack of Bolton or Tottenham. They have Defoe, Crouch, Keane, Pavlyuchenko.

"We have just Franco and the young lads. That leaves us in some trouble when it comes to attacking."

He added: "Every single match is important for us now, we are fully aware of what is at stake.

"As soon as Cole returns to action we will improve, I think. Personally, I am expecting a new signing to arrive during January. We will recover."