Andy Carroll's situation has to improve but I will never give up on him, says Slaven Bilic

Slaven Bilic admits Andy Carroll's injury problems have to improve next season but the West Ham boss insists he will never give up on the striker.

Carroll is out of the Hammers' final game of the season against Burnley on Sunday with a hip problem, having missed the last four games.

Bilic has lamented the absences of Carroll and Diafra Sakho this term, as the Hammers prepare to finish at least 17 points behind last year's tally.

"I spoke about his situation last year. Andy is so valuable for us and makes such a big impact on our game," Bilic said.

"When he is not available, the team feels it. The worse thing for a manager is that you are counting on a player and suddenly he is not available. It was not only Andy Carroll. We had the same situation with Sakho.

"At the start of the season we were like 'those two names are solid, we have quality - pace, presence, goals - we have everything'. Then suddenly they are not there.

"If you are asking about Andy, I will never give up. But that situation has to improve."