WEST HAM S revival has been thrown into turmoil with the news that star striker Carlton Cole is likely to be out for as long as two months, writes DAVE EVANS. The 26-year-old, who grabbed his seventh goal of the season in the 5-3 win over Burnley, limped

WEST HAM'S revival has been thrown into turmoil with the news that star striker Carlton Cole is likely to be out for as long as two months, writes DAVE EVANS.

The 26-year-old, who grabbed his seventh goal of the season in the 5-3 win over Burnley, limped off at half time with a knee injury.

He saw a specialist on Tuesday which confirmed that he does not need surgery on the knee, but although the prognosis is not as bleak as some pundits had been anticipating, it will still rule him out for a substantial period of the season.

Cole will begin his rehabilitation immediately, but it will depend on how well he responds to treatment as to how long he will be out for.

Optimistic estimates suggested that he would be back in as little as four weeks, but it seems that it is more likely to be double that period.

Valon Behrami underwent keyhole surgery on a new knee injury this week, and is not expected back until the Chelsea game on December 20 at the earliest, but there was better news with regard to other members of the West Ham squad.

Alessandro Diamanti will resume training this week and will look for a place on the bench on Saturday for the visit of champions Manchester United, while Kieron Dyer will hope to do the same after coming through another reserve team clash on Monday night.

Skipper Matty Upson is likely to return in time for the trip to Birmingham City next week.