Stuart Downing: 'Enner Valencia will take pressure off Andy Carroll'

Stuart Downing has said that signing Enner Valencia would take pressure off Andy Carroll at West Ham United.

The Ecuador striker has attracted interest from the London club following his performances at the World Cup, and arrived in the capital yesterday to undergo a medical.

The defender told The Mirror: "We can't rely on Andy all season. He was the big signing last season, but Andy struggled with injuries so hopefully the new signings will take the pressure off him a little bit.

"And from what I've seen of Valencia against England, he looks a very good player. He can nick a goal and it is competition for places. It's what we've needed as we didn't have that last season."

It is thought that the Pachuca forward will cost West Ham around £12m.