West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is happy to fight for his place, after the signing of Andy Carroll meant last year's top scorer was not guaranteed a spot in the starting XI.

Carroll joined the Hammers on a season-long loan from Liverpool, and made a big impact in his first game for his new side. Cole had had a rather abject start to the season, having failed to find the back of the net in the three English Premier League games so far.

"Every year, you have to have people challenging for places because it is healthy for the club," Cole told the club's official website. "I'm a guy who believes in that and you could get complacent if you know you are going to play week-in, week-out.

"It's better to always be on your toes and I welcome a challenge like Andy Carroll because he is one of the best target men around in the Premier League and it's just going to reinvigorate me to be a better player."

The striker is also looking forward to playing with another new signing Yossi Benayoun, who enjoyed a season with the striker in West Ham colors, before moving to Liverpool. "Yossi is a brilliant character and a great player as well -- we all know that," Cole said. "He has finally come home and he's back where I believe he belongs.

"I played for a season with him before he went off to Liverpool but he was really influential around the players and the team. I was sad to see him leave so now he's back, I'm really happy.

"We've got a lot of players who can go forward and fit in. (Ricardo) Vaz (Te) has started the season really well and has got three assists already and he'll get his goals too because once he starts scoring he won't stop.

"Everything is looking fruitful in and around the club and I'm very happy to be involved."

Cole, who has been West Ham's leading scorer the past four years, revealed he had been teased by teammate Kevin Nolan for not scoring a goal this season, with the midfielder already having scored two. "I've been having banter with Nobby in the changing room already and he's already on me," Cole added. "Last year, we were bouncing off each other saying 'I've got more goals than you, so what are you going to do about it?'

"We just spur each other on with a bit of banter and every time I get the chance to play, whether it be with another striker or up front on my own, hopefully I'll get the chance to score and keep up with Nobby.

"He's a goal poacher and it's great for the club to have everyone pitching in."