WEST HAM will welcome back star striker Carlton Cole for Saturday's crucial trip to Hull City.

The forward missed the 2-1 defeat to Everton last week after he injured his hamstring during the win over Aston Villa on November 4.

The injury also kept him out of the England squad to face Brazil in Qatar on Saturday, although the rest ensures he returns to action fighting fit and raring to go.

The Hammers will need him to be on top form, as three points at the KC Stadium will see Gianfranco Zola's side leapfrog Hull and climb out of the bottom three.

A goal for Cole at the weekend would take his tally of league goals this season to seven, one step closer to the ten he has set himself before the campaign reaches Christmas.

Games like Saturday's at both the top and bottom of the table are often dubbed six-pointers, and that will certainly feel like the case for Zola, who knows his side face two matches against beatable opposition in the shape of Hull and Burnley over the next week.

Aspirations of European football have surely gone out the window now, as the season rapidly descends into a relegation scrap for West Ham.

Hull are sure to be embroiled in a similar fight, and a win over Phil Brown's men would provide desperately-needed breathing space between the Hammers and the sides at the foot of the table.

The Tigers have worrying problems of their own, as rumours surrounding Brown's future refuse to go away, despite the team's 2-1 victory over Stoke last week.