West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is hopeful that he can prove his worth to manager Sam Allardyce.

The 29-year-old, who was linked with an exit from the Hammers in January, has relinquished his starting role to loan signing Andy Carroll.

Despite not starting a game for two months, Cole has insisted that he will continue to work hard and take his chances when they materialise.

"I wasn't ready to leave in January," Cole told the Daily Mail. "Other clubs talked to the agents but I didn't listen. I was still focused on West Ham.

"At the end of the day, you've got to make sure you're in the manager's thoughts. Otherwise you're just wasting your time and the manager will get rid of you anyway.

"It's all about actions. It's not about speaking, 'I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that.' If the manager sees I'm trying hard, he's got to be fair. But if the guy's doing it in front of you, you've got to wait your chance."

Cole joined the Hammers in 2006 from Chelsea.