Carlton Cole will not confront Sam Allardyce over his lack of playing time despite making just one Premier League start for West Ham since August.

Although the forward is behind Andy Carroll, Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho in the pecking order at Upton Park, he is no rush to leave during next month’s transfer window.

The season is only 16 games old and Cole, while playing a bit-part so far, believes his opportunity will arise soon. In the meantime, he is happy with a supporting role in a West Ham side flying high in the Champions League places.

“It is a weird feeling,” explains Cole. “I am not playing as much as I want but I am a West Ham fan and I want to see us do well. It is about the team, so whether or not I am playing is not a problem.

“You cannot have bad eggs in the changing room. Everyone has their own way of dealing with disappointment and I am not one of those guys [who complains].

“What would happen if I went knocking on the gaffer’s door? He would probably try and knock me out! He explains everything to you but he does not want you doing that. I have been through it [not playing] before, and you have just got to be professional, wait your turn and make sure you are ready when the manager needs you.”

Cole, who turned 31 in October and is out of contract at the end of the season, understands his omission from the team is a consequence of the form of Sakho and Valencia. The summer signings have been a huge factor in the club’s sparkling start, while Allardyce is understandably delighted to have Carroll back following his long lay-off with an ankle injury. And not forgetting Mauro Zarate.

Since leading the line in the opening three games of the season, Cole has been restricted to a solitary start and a place on the bench. But, with the busy festive period looming and Sakho heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal next month, Cole senses his chance is around the corner.

“You do not want to see Sakho go away with his country but you need to keep momentum and that is why we have a big squad,” he says. “That is when you are going to need the players who have not been playing to come in and do a job.

“The manager has explained the situation it to everybody. When I get my chance to step in, I have to make sure I am ready. I am in no rush to go anywhere in January, I am at home here. Who wants to leave their home?

“Not everyone can play every week and everyone has to be on their toes. The ones who are on the bench have to come on and make a difference when things are not going our way. That is what we have been doing lately, coming from behind to pick up points. It is going to be a hectic time over the festive period and that is what I am banking on to get a few games.”

Cole sees himself as an influential figure in the dressing room after nearly nine years at West Ham and he says the strikers all support each other.

“You have to swallow your pride sometimes when you are not playing and get on with it,” he says. “I am celebrating when Andy scores, when Sakho scores or when Valencia scores. And if I score, I am sure they are celebrating too. I have been at the club for a while and I am always supporting anyone who wants any advice.

“We are all together and that is what you need. You do not need people hating on you and making you feel uncomfortable. That is what happens when you have bag eggs, and the gaffer is not going to have that in the squad. He will get rid of you.”

Cole is attending the launch of the Lycamobile Cup, the youth football tournament set up by Lycamobile, the largest global provider of low cost international calls, West Ham and their Community Sports Trust.

His positive attitude represents the wider mood at the club, with West Ham lying fourth ahead of Saturday’s visit of Leicester. Cole is confident they can maintain their good form.

“We have got the right mix,” he says. “This is the hardest-working squad I’ve played in here and we have some great players. We have got a great bunch of lads. We all have a great understanding of each other and everyone loves each other as brothers. That is why we are doing so well at the moment.

“The aim was top 10 but, where we are now, you have to re-evaluate where we will end up. Top seven is achievable if we carry on the way we are going.

“The gaffer has done a brilliant job. People were saying in the summer his job was not safe but that did not bother him. He carried on fighting and is seeing the fruits of that persistence.”