Sam on Andy

Sam Allardyce is still hopeful of landing Liverpool's Andy Carroll on loan - despite the England striker's former club entering the race to sign him.

Newcastle United, who sold Carroll to Liverpool last January for a record-breaking £35million are said to be ready to pay around £13million to re-sign the Gateshead-born striker on a permanent basis - whilst West Ham are hoping to take him on loan with view to a permanent deal.

Key to West Ham's bid is the close relationship between Carroll and West Ham captain Kevin Nolan - and the fact that both are represented by agent Mark Curtis, who has become an increasingly influential figure at West Ham in recent months.

The controversial Curtis also represents West Ham's central defender James Tomkins - for whom he recently negotiated a new bumper contract - and manager Sam Allardyce.

Speaking to the local press earlier today, Allardyce reiterated his desire to bring the 6'3" hit man to east London. "We would dearly love to have Andy Carroll with us but it is a complex situation and he is in no hurry," he said.

"He doesn’t have to make a quick decision if he doesn’t want to. If Andy is going to leave Liverpool, he can wait and see how many are interested.

"The fact, though, that Kevin is a good friend of Andy’s is a slight positive because, if he came here, he wouldn’t be going into a strange environment which would make it easier for him to integrate."