Carlton Cole
Allardyce confirms Cole's Upton Park return as Kalou reveals why he decided to stay in Ligue 1. (Reuters)

West Ham United will offer a short term contract to former player Carlton Cole four months after the striker left the club at the end of his deal.

Andy Carroll's persistent injury problems have left the Hammers with a worrying dearth of striking options, forcing the club to investigate the free transfer market with Modibo Maiga the club's only established option up front.

The club have already recruited former Borussia Dortmund and Fulham striker Mladen Petric but have sought to strengthen their options by recruiting Cole, despite turning down the option to sign the striker earlier this month after he failed to prove his fitness in a trial at the beginning of the month.

"We've had Carlton training with us for a while now and as soon as he's fit enough to play there will be an offer of a short term contract on the table there's no doubt about that," Sam Allardyce told a press conference.

"That's why he's here with us and that's why we're trying to improve his fitness having missed pre-season. As soon as he's ok and suitable terms and conditions have been agreed, which is nothing to do with me, then he'll join us for however long the contract is negotiated for."

Allardyce would not disclose the length of Cole's contract, suggesting the club will hold behind closed doors games to determine the striker's fitness, but appeared confident the training regimes that kept Cole match fit during his seven year spell at Upton Park will have ready to play again in due course.

"He's been here on a day by day basis and one of the beauties of this football club is that this club's kept him fit for a long time during his career," Allardyce continued.

"Carlton has certain training programmes that were built to suit him and keep him available for a selection on a Saturday afternoon. It's always worked very well during the time I've been here."

Cole's return will ease Allardyce's concerns after the club failed to bring in another striker following their record move for Andy Carroll.

Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou was one name the West Ham boss was keen to bring to the club after the Hammers had a bid for the Ivorian's services accepted by his current club Lille.

Although he was tempted by a return to the Premier League, Kalou has since revealed the opportunities to grow as a player with the Ligue 1 club where enough to convince him to stay.

"I needed one more year to reach a higher level in my game," Kalou was quoted as saying by Le Sport 10. "Lille offered me the opportunity to grow again and move on. Last year, after a difficult start, I learned a lot. I reached a plateau."