Carroll doubt for England

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has cast doubt on Andy Carroll's involvement in England's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

Carroll, who joined West Ham on loan from Liverpool, made an impressive start as he teamed up with Ricardo Vaz Te to set up Kevin Nolan for the Hammers' first minute opener in the 3-0 win over Fulham. However, Carroll was substituted in the second half - and Allardyce revealed afterwards the 6ft 3in striker may have suffered a hamstring injury.

The West Ham boss told Sky Sports 2: "It's a huge result but the only real disappointment for us is Andy might have tweaked a hamstring. It is hugely disappointing if that's the case...but it will be unlikely he goes (away with England). I don't think he's much chance - sadly for Roy (England manager, Hodgson) and sadly for us. It depends on the extent of the damage."

He went on: "He is desperate to play football. We had Carlton Cole warmed up and ready to go and Andy was going to be substituted anyway in the next couple of minutes.

"But unusually he did it (injured the hamstring) on the jump."