Cole's Bellamy hopes

Hammers striker Carlton Cole is keeping his fingers crossed that the club will be able to keep striker Craig Bellamy at Upton Park.

Just about every West Ham player has been linked with a move away from the club during the current transfer window, with Tottenham bidding for Bellamy, but Cole hopes his strike partner can stay on.

"I'd love him to stay here for a very long time," said Cole.

"I don't know what's going to happen but everyone at the club wants him here. The manager wants him here, the players want him here.

"He's a great asset to the club and hopefully he stays with us.

"He's passionate about the game. If I've done something wrong he'll let me know. I say it the same way - but he'll say it louder than me! It's very constructive criticism. He reminds me of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

"We're totally different people. I don't get annoyed. I'm a patient guy. I can't be bothered with all the palaver. I just like to live my life and chill. I don't want to get into arguments.

"Craig's a fiery character. You just have to respect how he feels sometimes. He's a really nice guy. I respect him and he respects me. That's how life is."