Nolan: I'm in the mood for Andy

It seems that nobody at West Ham is refusing to rule out yet another move for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll - with captain Kevin Nolan the latest to speak about the possibility of signing his former team mate.

Nolan and Carroll became best friends whilst working together at Newcastle United and it that link which West Ham are once again looking to exploit as they continue to hunt the England international.

Despite having been told that the 23-year-old Gateshead-born forward would (naturally) prefer a return to his home club, West Ham are refusing to give up the chase hoping that as the transfer window deadline approaches, Carroll may have a change of heart.

With that in mind, the England international's former landlord has once again appeared in this morning's media in order to express his approval at the club's continued attempts to sign him.

"I would be delighted if Andy would come and join us here," Nolan is quoted as saying in a national tabloid this morning.

"I am not too sure whether Brendan Rodgers will let him leave but there is lots of speculation – there always is surrounding Andy. If there is a chance, we would be in the reckoning for him because he is such a quality player."

Meanwhile manager Sam Allardyce has backed Nolan's stance by telling a different tabloid: "I would have probably stuck my neck out and said we would almost certainly stay up with him on board.

"We wouldn't have thought we would have had any chance of signing a player of Andy Carroll's capabilities but it became clear a couple of weeks ago there was a possibility of a loan. Unfortunately, at this moment, it's not the case."

West Ham have previously offered £2million to take Carroll on loan for the duration of the 2012/13 season with a further fee of around £17million to follow in the event that the deal be made permanent.

Liverpool - who are understandably reticent to sell the player back to his former club for less than half the £35million figure they paid for him just 18 months ago - are understood to have accepted West Ham's terms.