Sam Allardyce won't rush West Ham striker Andy Carroll back from injury

Sam Allardyce is determined not to rush Andy Carroll back from his hamstring injury and believes it will be after the next international break when the West Ham United striker is ready to return.

Meanwhile, Allardyce hopes the arrival of Carroll can help inspire Carlton Cole, who had an early shot cleared off the line during West Ham's 0-0 draw at Norwich on Saturday. "Carlton has got stiff competition because all of a sudden he has seen a centre-forward that has come from Liverpool, who Kenny [Dalglish] paid £35million for," said Allardyce. "It is one where you have to look at it and say 'what am I going to do? Am I going to shrivel up and die or am I going to roll up my sleeves and flight?' "In this league when you have got competition it has got to bring the best out of you, it is a simple as that."