Injury-hit West Ham United will offer former England striker Carlton Cole a short-term contract after releasing him at the end of last season, manager Sam Allardyce said on Friday.
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"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," he told reporters ahead of the Hammers' Premier League game at Hull City on Saturday.
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"That's why he's here with us and that's why we're trying to improve his fitness having missed pre- season.
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"As soon as he's OK and suitable terms and conditions have been agreed, which is nothing do with me, then he'll join us for however long the contract is negotiated for."
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Cole spent seven seasons at West Ham, scoring 59 goals in 237 games.
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However the 29-year-old scored only twice in 29 appearances in 2012-13.
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West Ham are in need of more firepower after record signing Andy Carroll suffered a foot injury on his return to training this month after injuring his heel at the end of last season.
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The club, who have signed Croatia striker Mladen Petric on a one-year deal, have not set a likely date for Carroll's return.
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Midfielder Joe Cole is still recovering from a hamstring injury but winger Stewart Downing is available again.
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"Joe's not really injured anymore but we're just being protective of him and think he needs some more training before he's available again which I would have thought would be next week," said Allardyce.