The West Ham and England striker Carlton Cole is not as badly injured as was first thought,, and it has been announced today that he could be back in action in “a number of weeks.”

Cole was involved in a smashup with the Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen in West Ham’s 5-3 win last week, and suffered a knee ligament injury which was expected to need surgery.

A Hammers spokesman said yesterday: “Having been closely assessed in recent days, he will start his rehab with the aim of being back as soon as possible,”

Both Liverpool and Man Utd have both been linked with a £20m move for Cole in January, and it looked like any deal would have been scuppered by this injury, but if Cole looks close to full recovery before January offers could be back on the table.