Mark Noble has insisted that West Ham United have the strength in depth up front to cope with Andy Carroll's ongoing injury problems.
The Hammers travel to Southampton on Sunday without their £15m record signing, who is sidelined indefinitely due to a foot concern.
Manager Sam Allardyce signed free agent Mladen Petric this week to boost his forward options, and Noble is confident that the former Fulham striker and Modibo Maiga can fill the void created by Carroll's absence.
"We've got a big enough squad to cope with it, we might need to wrap Modibo in cotton wool at the moment and we've just signed Petric so hopefully he can come in and help us," Noble told West Ham's official website.
"Obviously he (Carroll) wants to get back playing but you feel for him because he's missed a whole pre-season, missed the tour and missed the banter around the lads whilst he's stuck in the physio's room.
"To have him come back out smiling and then getting injured again is tough but that's football and you never know what's around the corner. He's going to have to pick himself up and get back fit because we need him."
Midfielder Noble, 26, has started all three of West Ham's Premier League games this season.
Joe Fish
