West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has told Carlton Cole that he will be offered a new deal with the Hammers if he can prove himself in training.
The 29-year-old was released by the club at the end of the season and was believed to be in talks with Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne.
However, a deal never materialised and he has since been back in training with the East Londoners.
"He's training with us at the moment and hopefully when Carlton gets fit enough to be part of the squad then we'll talk to him about the contract situation," the Daily Star quotes Allardyce as saying.
"We still have one place available in our squad, with 24 players currently named, so we still have one place left for somebody.
"If Carlton proves that he can be the player we all know he's capable of being then hopefully he'll join us as well."
Cole scored two goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season.