West Ham striker Andy Carroll ruled out until next season

It's more injury heartache for Carroll. Credit: PA

Andy Carroll has been ruled out until next season after West Ham confirmed he will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

The former England international injured his left knee during the second half of Wednesday night's Premier League draw against Southampton.

An early diagnosis has suggested he would miss between four and six weeks, but a specialist confirmed the bad news after assessing the striker on Friday afternoon.

"It is likely to be a few weeks, the medial ligament on the side of his knee has a tear in it from a fairly innocuous collision. He is wearing a brace," Allardyce said earlier this morning.

"I would have thought four to six weeks out if we are lucky, depending on Andy's recovery. Some players heal quicker than others. It is a big blow for him and us. It is another blow we have to cope with."

That blow is now much bigger than Allardyce would have been expecting as he looks to lead the Hammers to a top-half finish in the Premier League and take them on a run in the FA Cup - with a fifth-round meeting at West Brom on Saturday lunchtime.