West Ham United forward Andy Carroll is looking forward to making a first-team return from injury before the end of August

The England international has been missing in action since undergoing surgery on a knee injury back in February.

Manager Slaven Bilic recently confirmed that Carroll could soon be back on the pitch and the injury-prone 26-year-old admits he cannot wait to be back in action.

"I'm looking forward to it," Carroll told West Ham TV. "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.

"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."