Carlton Cole has spoken out to assure fans of his happiness at West Ham United and pledged that the "best is yet to come".
The 24-year-old striker is "chuffed" to be in talks with CEO Scott Duxbury over a new deal. "I don't want the fans to think that I want to leave. I am happy at West Ham. I have just had a baby and I don't want to go anywhere. I am really settled in my life and only want to work hard and do well for West Ham. I am just looking forward to a bright future and when the time is right the deal will be done.
"All I am thinking about is pushing on this season and scoring more goals. That is my main objective. I am happy with my current situation and hopefully I can carry on playing games and doing my best for West Ham. When I play, I am happy. Every time I play for West Ham I try and give 100 per cent and hopefully I can stay fit and be available for selection every game like I was last season."
While Cole was rightly lauded for his all-round play and high number of assists in the 2007/08 campaign, he is not content to simply rest on his laurels. "I want to repeat last season but add more goals. The fans have not seen the best of me yet. I had my first proper run of games last season and I was happy with my tally of appearances. My hold-up play is I think quite good but I want to show there is more to my game."
Alan Curbishley could go into Saturday's fixture with Blackburn Rovers with a full complement of strikers including Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy, and Cole believes that competition for places can only be good for the club. "Hopefully we can be a potent strikeforce together, whatever combination the manager goes for. As long as it is all good for the team, the main thing is winning games. Even if we are coming off the bench, we have got to all pull in the same direction and help each other."