West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is hoping for an extended first team run after scoring in victory over Chelsea.

With Andy Carroll set to be out of action for the next six weeks with a knee ligament injury, Cole can expect to play an important role over the Christmas and New Year period.

He told West Ham TV: "Andy is obviously a top-class player and he's going to be sorely missed, but it gives me a chance to try to stake my claim and make myself a nuisance up front the way he has been doing as well. Hopefully I'll score some goals too.

"My heart goes out to Andy and hopefully he'll be back soon scoring goals as well."