Source: Daily_Mail
Cole ruled out until January as Zola prepares for key games without star
West Ham striker Carlton Cole could be out of action until the end of January.[LNB]Cole suffered a knee injury during last week's 5-3 win over Burnley at Upton Park, although he will not need surgery.[LNB]Asked about reports Cole would be out until the end of January, manager Gianfranco Zola said: 'It might be like that. We don't know exactly, it depends how his knee reacts.[LNB]'We are talking about weeks not months. We will take it day by day.'[LNB] Missing man: Injury-hit Cole will miss a host of key clashes for the Hammers[LNB]Cole is set to miss some key games during his spell on the sidelines, starting with the visit of Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United on Saturday.[LNB]The England World Cup hopeful will also miss trips to Bolton and Birmingham, the Boxing Day clash with fellow strugglers Portsmouth and two London derbies against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.[LNB]Big test: Collison says he is ready to face United[LNB]The 26-year-old is also likely to miss the Hammers' tough third-round FA Cup tie at home to Arsenal next month.[LNB]Meanwhile, in-form West Ham midfielder Jack Collison, who has scored two goals in his last two games, admits he can't wait to take on United and hopes to shine in the big match environment.[LNB]'As a footballer, playing in the big games is something you reallylook forward to,' Collison told the club's official website. [LNB]'Especially for me, I'm a young playerplaying in the Premier League and the home games against ManchesterUnited and Chelsea are massive for someone like me.[LNB]'We don't go into any game thinking we're going to lose, we go out there trying to get a result and do the best we can.'[LNB] Cole's World Cup boost for Capello as injured Hammers star avoids knee opWest Ham coming to terms with the fact the defender Upson will be soldWEST HAM UNITED FC
