West Ham United face an uphill battle to land Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

The London Evening Standard says West Ham were one of several Premier League clubs put on alert after new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers suggested that loaning Carroll was "something I would have to look at".

One club insider confirmed today that co-owner David Sullivan was "battling hard" to help bring Carroll to the squad but that it remained a "long shot - about a ten per cent chance."

It is understood that West Ham are prepared to pay Carroll's wages - around £80,000 per week - but that other clubs are prepared to offer loan fees on top.