Injured Andy Carroll close to West Ham comeback

West Ham striker Andy Carroll could be set for a return from a hamstring injury in the Hammers' meeting with Arsenal on October 6.

Carroll was expected to miss six weeks of action after picking the problem up on debut against Fulham, but could now return to the side ahead of schedule.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is concerned, however, that his star striker could be called up for England's games against San Marino and Poland a week later.

"It would be something that would need a conversation between me and Roy [Hodgson] to say that Andy is back but please be careful if he goes to England," Allardyce told The Daily Mirror.

"I’m not saying, "Don’t play him" but just be careful of the situation."

Allardyce believes it would be pointless selecting the player having just recovered from injury, with the risk of being sidelined once more not worth the risk.

"The last thing we’d want is to spend all that time to get him fit again, play for us, go to England and get injured playing for England," he added.

"His lack of first-team appearances is a major concern to us, when we get him fit again.

"The situation for both of us is that we would want Andy ­available as often and as quick as possible. If I was lucky to have him fit for Arsenal he wouldn’t play all game."