West Ham boss Slaven Bilic will seek talks with Andy Carroll at the end of the season over the striker’s chequered injury record.
Carroll has missed West Ham’s last two games with a groin injury that also kept him out in February, the striker having not made his second league appearance of the season until early December after battling with a major knee injury.
In all Carroll has completed just 12 games in all competitions this season and despite a healthy return of seven goals his ongoing injury troubles, which have plagued him for much of his career, continue to frustrate his manager.
“I don't like to moan but I would be very disappointed if he is not involved in our next game," Bilic said after Saturday's 0-0 draw at Stoke.
“You don't have to play 90 minutes but if he is on the bench it gives you a lift because we are lacking that power at the moment. We will talk about [his injury record] after the season.
“It is not his way of life or that he is not professional. As far as I know he is very settled, he is very up for training.
“It looked at one stage of the season that he was okay. It was no coincidence that in that period we won six of nine. And then suddenly you are without him...”
The Hammers turned down offers from three Chinese clubs to bring in Carroll in February but the injury-plagued striker’s future may be more liable to be reassessed after the season is over.
Bilic has already revealed West Ham are plotting to bring in new strikers in the January transfer window and hinted Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge, another with recurring injuries that have slowed his progress, could be on his radar.
