 Cole has been in superb form over the last 12 months
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West Ham and England striker Carlton Cole is nearing a return to first-team action following a knee injury.
Cole, 26, has been sidelined since damaging knee ligaments in the Hammers 5-3 win over Burnley on 28 November.
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola told the club's official website that Cole has stepped up his recovery and may return before the end of January.
"They're talking about towards the end of the month but we'll see," said Zola. "We're not putting pressure on him."
It is unlikely that Cole would be fit for West Ham's trip to Aston Villa on Sunday but he could be in contention for the game at Portsmouth on 26 January.
Zola admitted that the striker's recovery was "vital", particularly as forward Guillermo Franco is likely to miss the next couple of matches because of a muscle injury sustained in training.
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The Hammers have struggled in Cole's absence, winning only once in six league matches and exiting the FA Cup at the hands of Arsenal.
The club are currently 17th in the Premier League, level on points with Bolton and Hull in 18th and 19th respectively but having played two more games than Owen Coyle's side.
Cole has scored seven goals in 13 league appearances so far this season and has netted 14 times in 25 games since Boxing Day 2008.
"He is such an important player, not only in terms of goals and what he gives to the team, but it would be a big boost for the others," said Zola. "I look forward to seeing him playing soon with us."
Cole, who joined West Ham from Chelsea in July 2006, is a reported £20m target for several Premier League clubs in the January transfer window.
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