CARLTON Cole has admitted he may be on his way out of West Ham this summer.

The former England Under-21 striker has featured regularly this term following injuries to Bobby Zamora and Craig Bellamy, scoring six times in 34 league and cup appearances.

New chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson is tipped to make sweeping cuts to the club's wage bill by selling a host of fringe players during the summer.

And despite netting the winner in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Derby County, the 24-year-old conceded that manager Alan Curbishley may see his future elsewhere.

"I don't know how it will affect me. I don't know what he has in mind or what the new regime is going to be," said the one-time Chelsea youngster.

"If he's going to make changes, I don't know if I'm going to be involved. But I'm still here and I'm contracted for another two years."

Cole said his desire to remain at Upton Park is matched by that of his fellow fringe players, many of whom have stepped in and impressed during an injury-ravaged season.

"We've got to fight for our places all the time," he insisted.

"We've had a lot injuries this season and there's a few players who haven't really played a big part.

"They're going to want to be in the team over next season and fight for their places so there's going to be a lot of competition.

"It's up to the manager who he decides to let go and who he brings in. That's how football is. It's an unpredictable game.

"You've just got to be a professional about things and do things in a professional manner."

Curbishley could be without 10 first team players for tomorrow's visit of Newcastle United, but defenders Anton Ferdinand (hamstring), Matthew Upson (calf) and Jonathan Spector and striker Dean Ashton (tonsillitis) could return after missing last weekend's victory.

West Ham: (from) Green, Walker, Neill, Pantsil, McCartney, Ferdinand, Tomkins, Upson, Mullins, Noble, Parker, Ljungberg, Solano, Faubert, Boa Morte, Cole, Ashton, Sears, Zamora.