Carroll unlikely to leave West Ham in January - Bilic

Slaven Bilic does not expect Andy Carroll to leave West Ham during the January transfer window amid reported interest from elsewhere.

Newcastle United have been linked with plotting a move for their former striker, whose continual injury problems have seen him start just five of the Hammers 17 Premier League games this season.

Elsewhere, Allardyce could lure him to Sunderland according to the British press but Bilic does not foresee the 26-year-old leaving, claiming he is an important part of his plans going forward.

When asked if Carroll could leave, Bilic said: "I don’t think so, I don’t think so. We need players, we need him fit, we need him back. He fits into my plans. I said this from the start and that didn’t change.

"Hopefully that injury is not too bad. When he is fit, he’s a big asset for us, he’s a big weapon, it’s hard to play against him. When he has his presence, his hunger, his ability, of course he’s really important for us."

West Ham are eighth in the Premier League table and travel to bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa on Boxing Day.