Allardyce Delivers Latest Update on Andy Carroll Return

Andy Carroll's return from injury continues to be shrouded in uncertainty after West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce said the striker's fitness will be assessed on a week-by-week basis.

Carroll hasn't played this season after suffering a foot problem in training earlier in September while recovering from a heel injury picked up on the final day of last term.

The England international was sent to see Belgian specialist Lieven Maesschalck among others in order to heel the problem but Allardyce says Carroll is no closer to a return.

"There have been reports circulating that Andy Carroll could be back by early November," the West Ham boss said.

"The truth is there is no definite timescale at the moment with the player.

"We have asked for a regular progress report on Andy and expert opinion as to what is the next step.

"We could hopefully have a swift improvement which means he returns to training quickly or we could have a sticking point which means he can't quite shake off the last little niggle.

"Putting a date on things is only going to put everyone, Andy included, under pressure so we will stick to the week-to-week assessment and move on from there."

Carroll became West Ham's record signing in the summer transfer window after joining from Liverpool for a reported £15m after scoring seven league goals in 22 appearances during a season-long loan spell at Upton Park.

But the 24 year old is yet to repay any of that investment since his permanent move to east London an absence which throws into doubt his participation in next summer's World Cup.

Rickie Lambert has since taken his place in Roy Hodgson's England squad and has scored two goals in three appearances including in the World Cup qualifying win over Moldova.

The Hammers are meanwhile struggling for additional attacking options with Mladen Petric and former striker Carlton Cole both signed on temporary contracts to help ease the pressure on Modibo Maiga, who began the campaign as West Ham's only fully-fit striker.

Carroll wrote on Twitter on Friday: "First week over working with Lieven Maesschalck and my body is in bits!!"