'We are going places'

 Carlton Cole may miss the next two games for West Ham United but is convinced the club can push on and enjoy a strong end to the season.

The England striker scored the only goal of the game against Wigan Athletic when he finished off a superb passing move involving Scott Parker, Mark Noble and David Di Michele. The three points were a huge boost to Gianfranco Zola's side as they look to cement seventh place in the Barclays Premier League and 25-year-old Cole acknowledged the contribution the Italian has made to the Hammers' rise.

"We are going places and hopefully we can just keep on going to the end of the season and see where it gets us. Judging by the Wigan performance, we showed the grit we have got, the team-work. Everyone has gelled together and is on the same wavelength. The goal is an example of how the team is cooperating for each other and I am so happy that things are falling into place."

On the sending off, Cole was mainly frustrated that he did not have a chance to add to his goal with the red card that followed soon afterwards. The 25-year-old has scored eleven goals in a terrific campaign and felt he was in with a chance of adding to his tally. 

He said: "Those kind of things happen. I was annoyed I got sent off early because I thought I could notch another, but it wasn't meant to be. The boys dug in and we held on to the lead." Cole is due back in action for the club on 4 April with the visit of Sunderland to the Boleyn Ground - but could yet feature before then with England's matches against Slovakia, a friendly, and Ukraine on 28 March and 1 April respectively.