Clean slate for Cole on Hammers return

Joe Cole will never forget cleaning the toilet floors ahead of his first West Ham debut - and intends to make the most of a second chance at Upton Park.

The 31-year-old returned to his boyhood club after moving on a free transfer from Liverpool, and looks set to go straight into the squad for the FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United.

The midfielder, capped 56 times by England, got his introduction to first-team football with the Hammers back in January 1999, in an FA Cup tie against Swansea at Upton Park. "I can remember I was cleaning the changing room floors when big Frank (Lampard senior) came in and said to me 'You got a suit son? You're in the squad tomorrow'," Cole said.

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