West Ham United have made a formal enquiry into the availability of Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.

Chamakh has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Gunners' starting lineup since joining the club on a free from Bordeaux in 2010, alerting Hammers boss Sam Allardyce.

West Ham are currently missing on-loan striker Andy Carroll through injury, while Modibo Maiga will miss a large chunk of the season at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Allardyce is keen to bolster his attacking options.

"We have made an enquiry and that is all we have done at the moment," said Allardyce.

"From my point of view, the situation I have with Andy Carroll being injured and Modibo Maiga going to the African Nations Cup, means as a striker we have Carlton Cole and that is it until Andy gets fit. If it is a possibility that it could be a deal done, then we are looking at it, as well as a number of others.

"We need to find a left-back as quick as we can as well, because Joey O'Brien has a hamstring problem and George McCartney is out for a number of weeks, so we will have to see if there is anyone who we can find in that position for us."

West Ham have already completed the signing of midfielder Joe Cole today.