Andy Carroll 'not for sale', says West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
Wednesday 23 December 2015 21:24, UK
Slaven Bilic insists West Ham will not be selling Andy Carroll during January's transfer window.
It has been reported in the British media that Newcastle are keen to re-sign the striker they sold to Liverpool for £35m four years ago.
The 25-year-old has endured another injury-hit campaign and has netted just one goal in 10 Premier League appearances this season.
However, Bilic says he wants Carroll to remain at Upton Park: "We need players. We need him fit and we need him back.
"I don't judge my centre-forwards on whether they score goals or not. In the game against Stoke he ran and he did everything,
"He was creating space, he was holding the ball up. He looked to me that he was back fitness-wise and then he got injured. But hopefully the injury is not too bad.
"When he is fit, he's a big asset for us, he's a big weapon, and it is hard to play against him.
"He has his presence, his hunger, his ability and, of course, he's really important for us.
"He fits into my attacking plans. I said this from the start and that has not changed."
And Bilic revealed James Collins could be offered a new deal. The 32-year-old defender is out of contract at the end of the season but Bilic intends to speak to him about his future.
He added: "He wasn't just good against Swansea but as I have said a number of times before, he's a brilliant professional.
"He has been from day one, whether he was on the bench, or just training or playing for five minutes or coming on for half an hour, or now 90 minutes, he's magnificent for us."
