Andy Carroll out of West Ham United's clash with Everton as Slaven Bilic reveals plan to stop Lukaku

West Ham United forward Andy Carroll is out of his side's clash with Everton on Saturday (22 April) after re-aggravating a groin injury, Slaven Bilic has confirmed. The towering striker has had to nurse the problem for much of the season but Bilic does not think he will be out for a substantial period of time.

The Hammers may be without Carroll for the visit of the in-form Toffees, but Bilic did confirm that defender Winston Reid is back in contention after recovering from an abductor problem. Diafra Sakho, who reportedly refused to travel to Sunderland last weekend, could also start.

"Yes, [Reid's] back from injury, which is good for us," Bilic said in his press conference. "He is one of the most important players for us. We'll see if he will start but he has been training with us. In his rehabilitation he did some individual stuff and it's a big boost for us.

"The rest of the squad, from the game against Sunderland we are without Sam [Byram] who got his red card and without Carroll who will probably be fit for our next game, but this game, no.

"Diafra Sakho? We spoke about that was in the papers. He was injured against Sunderland, he is supposed to train today. There was not any row, I should know about that. I should know, it was me who spoke to him."

West Ham will need Reid to perform at his level best at the London Stadium if they are to have any hope of containing Everton's Romelu Lukaku. Not only is the Belgian in the form of his life, he has scored in each of his eight appearances for Everton against the Irons, who have conceded 15 goals in their last six matches.

Bilic knows stifling Lukaku is no easy task and believes a mammoth collective effort will be needed from his West Ham players in order to stop the Everton hitman from adding to his 24 league goals. The former Besiktas boss stressed the need for his side to cut the supply line to Lukaku, but knows that is easier said than done.

"It's a job for our defenders but not only them," the West Ham boss added. "In some of the games we have played against them we have been good against him but he still scored. It's not only the defenders though.

"When he receives a normal ball he can do you harm but we have to stop the service. The more you stop the service and try to get him out of the positions, the better. We have to stop that and of course when the service comes, we have to be close and double up on him like every other club tries to do."