GIANFRANCO Zola has a striker shortage ahead of tonight’s daunting Premier League trip to champions Manchester United.

With Carlton Cole suspended following his sending-off against Arsenal on Sunday and both Dean Ashton (ankle injury) and Diego Tristan (not match-fit) unavailable, the Italian could be forced into playing pint-sized Craig Bellamy at the top of his favoured “Christmas Tree” formation.

Should Bellamy assume the role – which he played with some success in Wales’ recent 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Germany – Zola could re-call Matty Etherington to his starting line-up after the winger was dropped for the visit of the Gunners.

When asked what he would do to replace Cole, Zola seemed unsure of the best way forward.

“We will try to find a different way and to find and I can’t say now but we will try to find a solution,” he said.

Despite suffering defeats to Bolton Wanderers, Hull City and Arsenal in his last three fixtures, Zola has vowed to attack Manchester United at their own Old Trafford home this evening, believing his players will produce the goods on the biggest stage.

“It’s never a good time to play them but we have to play them. We do respect them but we don't fear them,” he added.

“We are going to go there and play our game and we are going to try to win the game as we always try to do that. It’s a difficult moment but at this moment I’m sure the good teams come out."

And, while the odds are stacked in favour of a fourth consecutive loss this evening, the Sardinian insists his players are close to earning points as well as praise for their neat, passing football.

“I feel really bad about this because it never happened to me that I saw a team playing that well and then not getting any points for three matches but I know that in football things can change quickly,” he said.

“We just need a game to get it right and then everything will be better.

“It’s a good starting point to play well, results are a consequence. That’s my philosophy and I will pursue it.”

Midfielder Valon Behrami (groin) is back tonight but captain Lucas Neill (stomach bug) is still out.

West Ham United: (from) Green, Faubert, Neill, Upson, Ilunga, Behrami, Parker, Di Michele, Bellamy, Etherington, Sears, Lastuvka, Lopez, Boa Morte, Mullins, Davenport, Bowyer, Collins, Collison.