Cole sale to Liverpool 'not a certainty'

Liverpool's pursuit of West Ham striker Carlton Cole could prove fruitless - despite suggestions last month that a transfer was very much on the cards.

Cole impressed as the Hammers won for the second game in succession - a 4-0 demolition of Manchester United in the Carling Cup - and netted twice.

And now the club's bosses are thinking twice about whether to cash in on the England international, who was expected to bring in up to £8million in revenue for the cash-strapped east Londoners.

Their quest to get off the bottom of the table - and then to avoid relegation by the end of the season - is likely to hinge on their firepower.

And while there were doubts over Cole's ability, his recent performances in training and his brace against the current Premier League leaderscould show he is turning the corner after a poor spell.

Cole has been a target for former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson for a few years, and he is now keen to take him to new club Liverpool as an able deputy for star man Fernando Torres.

In recent days the Reds have also been linked with Sunderland and England striker Darren Bent - even though he will cost more than twice Cole's transfer tag.

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