West Ham News: Andy Carroll Will Not Be Rushed Back Says Sam Allardyce

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has promised not to rush record signing Andy Carroll back after the target man resumed training this week following a niggling ankle problem.

"He is training and being assessed on a daily basis with the medical staff here," Allardyce told the Hammers official website. "One of the experts from Holland has joined him to move things forward as quickly as possible.

"Like everything else, we'll get him back as quick as we possibly can, but my position is to take a sensible view. We're in a difficult position at the minute but I can't panic into putting Andy in too quickly. It's my responsibility to make sure he is there to stay when he comes back onto the field, and not just one or two games.

West Ham are one place and three points above the Premier League relegation zone after losing a London derby at fellow strugglers Crystal Palace in midweek.

"Andy will want to play quicker than he should and I'll have to calm him down," Allardyce added. "Hopefully he'll then have an impact when he returns. In the position we're in at the moment, it's extremely tough to resist putting him in."