West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has admitted that it was a mistake for the club to sign Andy Carroll.

The 25-year-old is expected to miss the first four months of the season after tearing ligaments in his ankle.

He missed the majority of the last campaign for the Hammers with a heel problem and made only 15 appearances in the Premier League.

"Had we known what we know now we wouldn't have signed the player," The Telegraph quotes Sullivan as saying. "But it's easy to be wise after the event. We were assured by our physio - who has since left the club - that the player would be available for the start of the season.

"He wasn't available until January or February. A mistake was made and we were given the wrong information. We based our decision and our purchase of the player on what the medical department told us.

"We've changed everything in that department as a result of that. At the same time on his day he is a devastating and fantastic player, we've just got to get him back to his best."

Carroll scored twice in the Premier League for West Ham last season.