West Ham co-owner David Gold: We really must find another centre-forward

West Ham co-owner David Gold has said that the club “must find another centre-forward” as they look to build on their opening day success.

With injury-prone Andy Carroll out until at least September and facing over two months out after picking up an ankle injury in a Europa League tie. Diafra Sakho led the line exceptionally in a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday alongside Mauro Zarate, with Mobido Maiga on the bench.

However Gold and manager Slaven Bilic are both keen to improve the quality of West Ham’s strike-force. The club have been linked with moves for QPR forward Charlie Austin and Atletico Madrid’s Raul Jimenez.

They are also understood to be keen to join Tottenham in the race for Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, who is unwanted at Old Trafford by manager Louis van Gaal.

Gold did not deny an interest in the 27-year-old when questioned on the forward, although he did not specifically say he would move for Hernandez.

“We are looking for a striker, that is our key,” Gold told Sky Sports. “We've been very unfortunate in losing Enner Valencia.

“We already believed that we needed a striker because of Andy Carroll not rejoining the squad until probably September. So we already needed a centre-forward and then losing Valencia it becomes more of an issue.

“So before the window closes we really must find another centre-forward.”

The 30 per cent owner of the east London side admitted Valencia’s injury meant that West Ham would consider more than one striker, though he does not expect to pick up two before the window closes.

Gold added: “What I'm really saying is we needed one at the beginning of the season, we can't really go into the new season without at least bringing in one. Yes we'd like two but we've got to be realistic.

“We know that Andy can't be too far away and with a bit of luck Valencia will be back this year. We might have to manage with one."