West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Cole to avoid groin surgery

02 Apr 2009 - 14:48:05

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West Ham United striker Carlton Cole will spend the next six weeks on the sidelines with the groin injury he suffered during England's 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Wembley on Saturday.

However, Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that the 25-year-old former Chelsea star will not need surgery on the problem.

"Fortunately he won't need an operation," Zola told the club's official website.

"It's just a problem in between the muscle and the tendon in his groin so he doesn't need an operation. He should be available in six weeks. That's what I have been told."

Cole picked up the injury at the weekend after coming on as a substitute for Emile Heskey.

It was the forward's second appearance for his country, having won his first cap in February when coming on as a substitute in the friendly defeat against Spain.

Cole is the Hammers' top-scorer this term, having found the net nine times in the Premier League.