Allardyce wants Carroll treated with care

The striker, on loan at Upton Park from Liverpool, has only just returned to action after a month out with a hamstring problem, but was called up to the national squad for the ties against San Marino at Wembley on Friday night and then away to Poland Tuesday week.

Carroll played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's 3-1 home Barclays Premier League defeat by Arsenal, and Hammers boss Allardyce has understandable concerns over potential for burnout.

"Andy is really lacking in match practice. What I will speak to Roy about is his fatigue level," Allardyce said.

"Andy will be stiffer than everybody else after this because he hasn't played a full 90 minutes in recent weeks, so he will take a bit more time to recover.

"But he should be fine for Friday and hopefully he will get a game at some stage to improve his match fitness."

Carroll was West Ham's main outlet against Arsenal, in a match which on another afternoon the hosts could well have taken something from having gone ahead through Mohamed Diame.

Indeed, the 23-year-old planted a header just wide in the second half which would have put West Ham back in front.

Allardyce believes his side must continue to play to Carroll's strengths.

"Andy can only get better as time goes on," he said.

"As long as we can keep giving him the service, I think he is going to be a tremendous asset."