West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has defended his decision to sign Andy Carroll. The 24 year old scored seven goals during a loan spell with the Hammers last season, but has been out of action injured since arriving at the Boleyn Ground in a £15m transfer from Liverpool last June.

Allardyce said: "We thought Andy would be fit around August. In the long term I'm convinced it will be a great thing for Andy to be at this club."

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