West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admits Andy Carroll injury is 'big blow' to the Hammers

Slaven Bilic has described Andy Carroll's latest injury setback as a "big blow" to West Ham United. The 27-year-old striker was substituted during the Hammers' 3-1 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Bilic, 47, confirmed Carroll had picked up a hamstring injury and is due to be assessed today (13 January). The England international has two goals in West Ham's past four games following a seven-month lay-off.

"It's a big blow for us because he started this game well," said Bilic, according to the BBC. "I don't understand it because we're resting the players. We're not training a lot. We can only hope it won't last that long."

West Ham's season has been blighted by injury problems and Carroll's latest concern comes in the aftermath of the Hammers deciding to move training grounds in a bid to combat the issue. The Croatian manager was instrumental in accelerating their move to a new complex, with West Ham's spate of muscle problems being blamed on the pitches at the club's Chadwell Heath base.

"The pitches are better there than here. We can live without the great dressing room, the kitchens and the free area for now," Bilic said in December.

"I don't see any other reason because we have a good medical team and good players and the sessions are good, and I told you that since I came here it was an issue – last year, two years ago or five years ago. It has nothing to do with the groundsmen or the medical staff – it's just the way the ground is here," the West Ham boss explained.