Monday 8 August 2016 13:51, UK
Slaven Bilic has warned Andy Carroll must regain his best form for West Ham before thinking about an England recall, while the striker has admitted he has international dreams.
Carroll scored twice in the Hammers' final pre-season friendly against Juventus ahead of the new Premier League campaign, but it was not enough as the Serie A champions won 3-2 at the London Stadium.
The West Ham frontman last played for England in 2012 and has since struggled to force his way back into the national set-up following a string of injury lay-offs.
Sam Allardyce's appointment as the new England manager last month has led to speculation Carroll could be included in his first squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on September 4.
But Bilic said: "The last England boss was also English, but my players shouldn't dream about England because of a good season or a change of manager. They must play well for West Ham."
However, Carroll has revealed playing for England again remains a big ambition.
The 27-year-old, who has enjoyed a full pre-season for the first time since he moved to east London, said: "Obviously England is right in my head.
"I want to be back in the England shirt, but I can't get there just on the manager being my old manager at West Ham.
"I think it would be unfair to even think that. I've just got to work hard at training, listen to the staff here, play the games I play, score goals and create chances and hopefully he will pick me. Nothing is a guarantee.
"Obviously he knows what I am capable of, in and out of training and in games, that's nice to know. But for me I have to just carry on playing for West Ham as best as I can and hopefully push myself in."
The former Newcastle and Liverpool striker says he has finally learned to rein in his combative style of play on the training pitch to improve his fitness - thanks to his fiancee Billi Mucklow.
"My missus got on my case," he added. "I had to listen to her. Obviously it's worked. There a lot of people who have tried to drill it into my head for three or four years now and I haven't really listened.
"I just have to listen to people and take it easy."
The West Ham manager heaped praise on Carroll following his impressive showing against the Italians at the weekend.
"If Andy plays like he did and scores like that there are not many that can do that week in, week out," Bilic added.
"In a game where we didn't always have a big influence and he didn't have more service, he made his mark.
"They were goals typical of his threat. He proved once more that we are right to count on him. He will do those things, not only scoring goals, he is a top-quality player."
