Carlton Cole is edging ever closer to a return but he took some time out from his hard work on the training pitch to join Gianfranco Zola and Tony Gale in a question and answer session at Barclays Bank headquarters in London.
The sight of Cole pounding the pitches at Chadwell Heath has been a welcome one as the England striker works back to fitness after the groin injury he picked up playing for England at the end of March. Cole has made good progress and, all being well, could make a return to full training as early as next week.
There has been further good news with midfielder Jack Collison joining full training as expected with the rest of the first-team squad on Wednesday exactly eight weeks since he suffered a dislocated kneecap in the game against Wigan on 4 March. That game was also Cole's last in the claret and blue and he is relishing the chance to be back in the spotlight.
Barclays, the sponsors of the Premier League, selected competition winners to quiz the forward and his manager about all things football - from management tips to who is the greatest player they have ever played against. There was particular attention from the audience on Cole's transition this year from promising player to England international.
Cole spoke at length about how Zola has helped him to develop since arriving last September. "I went into this pre-season thinking that if all of our players are fit then I might not get another look in," he said. "It just so happens that a few other players were unavailable and I got another run in the team again.
"When Gianfranco came in I was already playing so it was easier for me to adapt to his style and the way he wants to play as I was really fit because I was already playing. He has helped me go on to the next level as that's all I needed really was someone to guide me and keep me on track like I should have done a long time ago."
Fans are soon to start voting for their whufc.com Goal of the Season alongside the Hammer of the Year poll, and Cole's winner at Wigan in March is expected to feature strongly. The 25-year-old Cole explained how that strike summed up what Zola has been trying to instil in his players.
"My best goal was in the Wigan game when I got sent off and it made goal of the month for the BBC. It was a great team goal and it shows what we have been trying to work on in training every day and the style of football the manager wants to portray.
"It signified everything we were working towards. So that is my most memorable goal of the season and my career so far."
