West Ham United Football Club News

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

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Irons seek Cole compensation

07 Apr 2009 - 07:31:58

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West Ham United have submitted a claim for compensation to the Football Association after striker Carlton Cole sustained a groin injury while on England duty.

The 25-year-old suffered the problem during the 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Wembley and has been ruled out for well over a month.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola admitted: "It is frustrating if you consider that we now have Carlton out, as well as Valon Behrami and Jack Collison, plus Scott Parker is not at his best.

"It is frustrating because they are important players for us. It is a crucial moment of the season.

"The whole season has been like that, always having something to deal with."

Meanwhile, Irons defender Jonathan Spector will miss the club's next two games after being knocked unconscious during the 2-0 weekend win over Sunderland.

Spector has been given the all-clear after a trip to hospital, but will be out of training for a week as a standard precaution.

Zola had said after the weekend victory: "I think he has got a concussion.

"He lost consciousness for a little bit and he's lost a bit of his short-term memory, but he was fine and we are very confident that it is not going to be a big problem."