Carlton faces the fans

Carlton Cole has personally pledged to supporters that he will celebrate if he gets on the score-sheet during a run of three major matches over the coming eight days.

The England striker is one of the most committed players when it comes to backing off-field events at the club and his latest appearance was to take part in a disabled fans forum at the Boleyn Ground on Thursday night, along with team-mate Danny Gabbidon and Chairman David Gold.

Having trained all day at Chadwell Heath, the popular players then spoke in front of around 40 supporters and took part in a special Q and A - with Cole as ever happy to answer each and every one of the supporters' queries, including several direct ones about his form and fitness.

"They gave me some hard questions to answer," he told WHUTV, about a speaking session that rivalled any press conference he might get around a Barclays Premier League game.

"That is what it is all about. I tried to answer them as honestly as I can. I know what is going on, on and off the field, so it is good to give them an insight. They are very appreciative.

"It is very important to come to these events. It brightened up my day to come here and see the fans. Our fans are special, they understand what is going on and they want to see me do well. Hopefully I can provide for them on the pitch and we can put a few more points on the table. That is what we need. Everyone needs to pull together in the same direction."

While there were many happy faces as the duo posed for pictures and signed countless autographs, the No9 revealed he gets just as much out of such nights as those coming along to watch.

"I take a lot away. It is a nice feeling to know when I go out on that pitch that I need to work doubly hard because if I don't I will be letting down the fans that have been supporting me all these years now.

"I want to go and score a goal for them. I have been criticised tonight for not celebrating my last goal [against Newcastle United]. But that was a lot of frustration inside me [after not scoring before]! This time if I do score any time soon I will be celebrating.

"We need to make the fans happy. It is a massive chance for us over the next eight days. Hopefully we will get the right result at Birmingham on Saturday and West Brom in midweek. We can turn it around with one or two wins on the bounce."