Sam Allardyce: 'Andy Carroll not near a return'

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has dismissed reports that striker Andy Carroll has returned from his rehabilitation camp in Belgium.

It had been suggested that Carroll was nearing a comeback from a heel injury, but Allardyce has revealed that the England international is still several weeks away from taking part in training.

The 59-year-old told reporters: "There's still a while to go yet. He will be back with us in the next two or three weeks.

"Hopefully, he will be able to start full training when he does come back, but it will continue to be a week-by-week assessment."

Carroll has yet to feature for the Hammers since sealing a permanent move to the club from Liverpool in the summer.