Carlton Cole: Has agreed fresh terms at Upton Park

The 30-year-old frontman was released by the Hammers last summer as a previous deal came to an end.

He was, however, unable to find another club and was allowed to train with the Upton Park outfit in an effort to stay sharp.

Cole did enough to convince Sam Allardyce that he was deserving of a second chance and penned a short-term agreement in October.

West Ham's faith has been rewarded with four goals in 12 appearances in all competitions.

A number of rival clubs were linked with the England international as he considered his future options, but Cole has decided to stay in east London.

"I'm really happy," Cole told West Ham TV.

"I've worked hard to get to the position I'm in right now. The manager asked me to come back in the summer and I've worked hard to get my match fitness and I've scored a few goals whilst doing that.

"I've always believed that I can score goals and that's the main thing as a striker, you want to score goals and help the team win. That's what I'm here to do and hopefully I'll get more chances to do that.

"I've never said that I've got targets but I have my own targets in my head. Hopefully I can get to where I want to get to. First and foremost it's all about Premier League survival, we're down there fighting it out and we just need to stay up and then work from there next season."