Ex-England striker Carlton Cole denies reports he is leaving Indonesia’s Persib Bandung after just two months
Former West Ham forward left in the dark as his manager reveals the veteran is no longer a part of his squad
CARLTON COLE has denied reports his spell in Indonesia is over after playing just 105 minutes for Persib Bandung.
The 33-year-old arrived to much fanfare back in March as he joined a squad that included Chelsea legend Micahel Essien.
But the ex-West Ham striker failed to impact an impact in his eight appearances and now his time with the club is over.
Cole was not even included in the squad as they lost 1-0 to Bali United in midweek, with manager Umuh Muchtar quoted as telling Indonesian media outlets that the veteran had now left.
He said: "We must quickly find Cole's replacement.
"Maybe it will cost us a lot of money to do so, but that is what we have to do."
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But Cole insists he is going nowhere.
Responding to the news on Twitter, the former England international said: "Haha no I haven't [left]. Where'd you get that from?"
He added: "Lol I'm alright out here for now. Hope all's well."
In the rare occasions he made it onto the pitch, Umuh has been critical of Cole and called his fitness into question.
In fact, last month he claimed that playing with him in attack was akin to playing with just ten men – and the only reason he started him for the only time was to show the fans exactly why he had been snubbing the ace.
Essien has also come under-fire from the outspoken chief.
The Ghanaian was criticised for taking – and missing – a penalty that was designated for another player.
Persib Bandung have scored just eight times in their first eight matches of the season and have twice squandered leads due to late equalisers to leave them eighth in the table.