West Ham striker Andy Carroll is on course to return to first-team action at Liverpool as he continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury.

The 26-year-old has not played for the east London club since February after he was forced off in the early stages of the Hammers' 0-0 draw against Southampton.

Boss Slaven Bilic revealed that he is hopeful the forward could return for the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on August 29 last week and Carroll is raring to go.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's been a long time since I've been on this pitch, but it's not long to go now and I'm looking forward to being back," he told the club's official website.

"I've been working hard and I'm nearly back fit so it's all positive. As the gaffer has said, by the end of the month I hope to be back.

"It's the last season at the Boleyn Ground so I'm looking forward to being here and playing here and getting back and getting a few goals here."