Stoke City winger Matthew Etherington has urged former West Ham United team-mate Carlton Cole to consider a move to the Britannia Stadium.
The Potters continue to be linked with a big-money move for the 26-year-old England striker and Etherington believes that Cole would benefit from a switch to the Midlands.
He told The Sentinel: "If West Ham are willing to let him go, it would be a good move for him to come here.
"Given the ideas the manager has and the way the club want to push forward, I'd definitely recommend it.
"On his day, he's one of the best strikers in the Premier League. When he's on it, he's unbelievable and I've witnessed that first hand at West Ham.
"When Gianfranco Zola came in as manager, he gave him a lot of confidence and it got him his England call-ups.
"He's one of those players you've got to put an arm around and tell him how good he is to give him confidence.
"But a fully-fit Carlton Cole would be a massive asset for Stoke."