Andy Carroll was back in full training with West Ham United this week.

The 26-year-old has been out of action since undergoing knee surgery in February and has recently been training with the East London club's U21 side.

The club lost Enner Valencia earlier in the season and Diafra Sakho suffered an adductor injury in the 4-3 loss to Bournemouth on the weekend, thinning Slvaen Bilic's attacking stocks.

But in some good news for Hammers fans, Carroll joined the senior squad on Tuesday as he continues his recovery, which could allow him to play later this month.

West Ham's Head of Medical and Sports Science, Stijn Vandenbroucke, revealed that Carroll was nearing a return to action.

"I want to start this week with some really positive news - Andy Carroll trained with the first-team squad on Tuesday and he will continue to do so as he continues to build up his match fitness ahead of a competitive return to action," wrote Vandenbroucke in his injury update.

Carroll is being earmarked for a sub appearance against former club Liverpool on August 29 or could return after the international break when the Hammers host his other former employer Newcastle United on September 14.