West Ham United striker Carlton Cole has praised the mental strength of the team after they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Stoke City.

The Hammers looked on course for their first defeat since the end of September on Saturday before goals from Enner Valencia and Stewart Downing earned them a point at the Britannia Stadium.

Despite slipping down to fifth place in the Premier League table, Cole believes that he and his teammates can be proud of their determined display against Stoke.

"The players will be the first to tell you that we didn't play well, but you know it's going to be a tough game when you come to a place like Stoke," he told the club's official website.

"It was a hard-fought game and if you'd told me we were going to get a point before the game, to be totally honest I would have taken it.

"Although I think we can go anywhere and score goals now, we knew they were going to come at us. They want to be in our position and show they are as a good as us, but we showed great belief and mental strength to come from 2-0 down."

West Ham continue their Premier League campaign this weekend when they entertain struggling Aston Villa.