Gianfranco Zola has confirmed that Carlton Cole will not need surgery to repair the groin injury he suffered during England's 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia at Wembley on Saturday.
The West Ham United manager said that he hopes to have the 25-year-old back in six weeks time. Cole, who has two caps for his country and has scored eleven goals for the Hammers this season, was hurt midway through the first half after appearing as an early substitute for goalscorer Emile Heskey.
However, the good news is that the striker could be fit before the end of the Premier League season, which ends with the visit of Middlesbrough to the Boleyn Ground on Sunday 24 May.
"Fortunately he won't need an operation," said Zola. "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 has been in superb form this season, winning his first England cap in the 2-0 friendly defeat in Spain in February.