Zavon Hines is ready to step into Carlton Cole's boots should he be called upon for the weekend visit of Manchester United
Cole is sidelined for Saturday's game at the Boleyn Ground with the knee ligament injury he picked up in the 5-3 win against Burnley last weekend. Hines could deputise alongside the in-form Guille Franco, with Cole set to be out for a number of weeks.
Cole will not need surgery on his right knee though and, having being closely assessed in recent days, will start his rehab with the aim of being back as soon as possible into the new year.
His absence will mean a chance for others to shine, not least Hines who has made great strides this season and showed no fear against Liverpool earlier this season. "I would love to score against Manchester United," he said. "It's a big game, when Arsenal came here we were all up for it."
The 2009/10 season has been something of a breakthrough for Hines, including his first Premier League goal - a 93rd-minute winner against Aston Villa - and some lively displays. He has amassed a dozen first-team appearances to date. The striker, who also scored a brace on his England Under-21 debut on 9 October, said he can feel himself getting better with every game.
"Every time I come on I feel happy to be honest because not a lot of people are in my position. Obviously I work hard and work on being more confident and trying to play my best for the team."
The 20-year-old lays much of the success of his development to playing alongside Cole and the other more experienced players every day in training.
"It's good learning from Carlton and Mark Noble, obviously they're different in a lot of ways but they're both good at what they do. Learning more from them obviously helps my game and helps me get better."
West Ham United are going through something of a purple patch in front of goal at present, averaging 2.25 goals per game over the past two months, while also finding the back of the net in every one of their last eleven matches. It is at the other end of the pitch, however, that Hines knows they must sharpen up.
"Obviously as a team we'd like to keep a clean sheet, but its just one of those things and we'll have to keep working hard on it and keep scoring goals."