West Ham have made an excellent start to the season and currently sit in sixth place, having picked up impressive away wins at Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Key to that success has been the creative midfield contributing with goals and excellent assists, such as Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini.

The form of Diafra Sakho has been consistent with Zarate and Carroll chipping in up front, but ultimately Zarate is inconsistent and the other two are injury prone.

West Ham's top scorers are their midfielders and the injury to Payet may add to their goalscoring woes.

Goals have dried up recently for the Hammers since the injury of Payet and they have failed to win in their last three games, including a 4-1 defeat to rivals Tottenham.

So perhaps what West Ham need is an out and out goalscorer up front to take the burden off the midfielders, and take advantage of the wealth of service they get from the midfield.

Here are FIVE Championship strikers they should sign in January......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE STRIKERS!

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Jordan Rhodes

The Blackburn striker has been linked with moves to the Premier League many times in recent seasons, and whilst he consistently scores 20+ a season for Blackburn, he still remains at Ewood Park.

With Blackburn currently in 13th it is unsure whether they could mount a serious challenge for the play-offs, and Rhodes should perhaps start considering a move away.

With the £14 million bid they rejected from Middlesbrough in the summer they are reluctant to let their biggest asset go, but West Ham ultimately have the money and lure of Premier League football to attract Rhodes.

Rhodes is already in scintillating form for Rovers this season with nine goals, and is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the division, very much good enough for the Premier League.

Charlie Austin

The QPR frontman was on fire for them last season and scored 18 Premier League goals, and was fully expected to move to a Premier League side after his goals weren't enough to keep QPR in the Premier League.

He was one of the biggest transfer targets of the summer with a fee of £15 million being thrown about as the possible cost.

West Ham and Newcastle were the frontrunners but after a few failed bids, both clubs gave up and decided to leave it.

West Ham chairman David Gold also said that they didn't want to sign Austin as his injury record made him a risky signing which insulted Austin.

Surprisingly, he has stayed at QPR this season and has made a good start with eight goals, despite the injuries he has picked up, but a move in the winter is likely due to their poor start to the season.

With West Ham needing a striker, then Austin would fit the bill perfectly.

Benik Afobe

One of the hottest properties in the Championship, the former Arsenal youngster has made quite the impression since his move to Wolves.

He got 13 goals in just 20 goals last season and five in ten this year, despite the service not being as good this season.

Afobe is just 22 and capped at U21 level and has been linked with a move to Premier League Norwich over the summer.

Also with Wolves unlikely to challenge for the play-offs after losing a lot of talent in the summer through transfers and injury ,this season he may seek a move away and would present West Ham with a long term prospect.

Andre Gray

The Burnley man was incredible for Brentford last season, fronting their attacking midfield of Pritchard, Jota and Judge and scored a bagful of goals.

This earned him a big money move to Burnley who had come down to the Championship without Danny Ings, but Gray has more than filled the void and is already one of the top scorers in the league.

There is likely to be a scramble for his services, and West Ham would certainly be interested in his impressive goalscoring record.

But a move in the summer is more likely as he has only just arrived at Turf Moor.

Chris Martin

Like Rhodes, he has been very consistent over a number of seasons and has started to become a 20 goal a season striker.

Now he has won his first international caps for Scotland, he has greater pedigree and experience.

But Martin is crucial to Derby as he is their only main goalscorer, and they have no real backup, so Derby wouldn't sell unless for a sizeable price tag but Martin is definitely good enough for the Premier League as his goalscoring record proves.

Would you be happy with these signings Hammers fans ? Leave thoughts and opinions below!