Keane keen on Hammers forward Cole

11:07am Wednesday 7th May 2008

WEST Ham striker Carlton Cole is reportedly a summer target for Sunderland.

Black Cats boss Roy Keane is looking to provide Kenwyne Jones with a suitable partner up front and is willing to pay £2 million for the former Chelsea forward, although Celtic and Middlesbrough are also interested.

Cole (pictured) has endured a rollercoaster season with the Irons.

The former England U21 star - who has had loan spells at Wolves, Aston Villa and Charlton - was playing only a bit-part role earlier in the campaign and was subjected to the Upton Park boo-boys.

But injuries to forwards Craig Bellamy, Bobby Zamora and Dean Ashton provided the powerful striker with an extended run in the first team and he soon won the crowd over with his high work rate and dedication to the team.

He has also scored six goals in 21 Premier League starts.

However, Cole has struggled to hold down a regular starting place in recent months and may now be seen as ideal fodder for the expected Upton Park clearout in the summer.

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