West Ham United legend Tony Cottee has called on manager Sam Allardyce to hand Carlton Cole a new deal.
Cole's return is back on the agenda following an injury setback to Andy Carroll.
Cottee said: "If you are going to have someone as a back-up to Andy Carroll, surely Carlton Cole is that man? I don't know why he didn't sign a new contract.
"I don't quite know what has happened because Carlton loves playing for West Ham, he loves being at the club and, on his day, he is a real handful.
"Modibo Maiga has been poor in the first two or three games of the season, Ricardo Vaz Te is unsettled and Elliot Lee is a good player but he is only 18 years old.
"They are really struggling in terms of who plays as the main striker. They need Cole back and fit because there is obviously going to be pressure on Petric to hit the ground running."
