Chelsea 1 - 0 West Ham United

Chelsea v West Ham: Preview

Updated: November 30, 2007, 2:57 PM UK

Carlton Cole is determined to show Chelsea just what they missed out on when the West Ham striker returns to his old club.

The 24-year-old has found himself spearheading the Hammers attack following a run of injuries to Alan Curbishley's strikers.

Cole, a former England Under-21 international, intends to make the most of his chance to prove he can cut it at the top level, having had spells at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa before eventually leaving Stamford Bridge for Upton Park in a permanent deal last summer.

"There will always be that extra hunger for a player when they come up against their former club - no player wants to play their old team and do badly,'' said Cole, who had worked his way up through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge.

"This is actually the first time I am playing Chelsea as the visiting team, so it will be weird - but I am really up for it.''

Cole told the club's official website, www.whufc.com: "I will hopefully have a big impact on the game and to get on the score-sheet as well would be the icing on the cake.''

Striker Dean Ashton and midfielder Scott Parker are in contention to start.

The pair came through a midweek reserve game unscathed, while Freddie Ljungberg has shown no ill effects from the migraine which ruled him out of the last match against Tottenham.

However, the fitness of Lee Bowyer (hernia) will be assessed ahead of the match and Craig Bellamy (groin) is still out.

Chelsea will be without the suspended Michael Essien for the clash.

Manager Avram Grant has no new injury worries but will still be without a number of experienced players, including goalkeeper Petr Cech (calf).

Midfielder Michael Ballack (ankle), winger Florent Malouda (knee) and defenders Ricardo Carvalho (back) and Paulo Ferreira (ankle) are also absent.