Former West Ham star Joe Cole is backing his old club to beat the drop once the season resumes.

The Hammers are currently 16th, outside the relegation zone only on goal difference, while Aston Villa in 19th could leapfrog them by winning their game in hand.

"West Ham were on the back of four great performances I thought, I watched them closely," he told PA.

"The break has come and when the restart comes whenever it does, it will be about who starts better.

"When you come back and the season restarts, if it does, having an experienced manager who knows how to organise a team and David has a lot of experience doing that.

"West Ham will benefit from that. We don't know what will go on the other side of things but from football point of view it will give them a chance to get some players fit."