West Ham United striker Andy Carroll will miss this weekend's fifth-round FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers after suffering a muscle injury.

The 27-year-old suffered a minor injury to the groin area during the 2-2 draw at Norwich City on Saturday but is expected to be back in contention for the game with Sunderland on February 27.

The injury is the 13th in Carroll's three-and-a-half years with the Hammers and his fourth spell on the sidelines this season alone.

Meanwhile, Carroll's deputy Enner Valencia is also expected to be absent for the game with Championship Blackburn after picking up an ankle injury, with January signing Emmanuel Emenike instead tipped to lead the line as West Ham look to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Written by
Neil Wilkes