Allardyce: Carroll is miserable

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits striker Andy Carroll is 'pretty miserable' after suffering ankle ligament damage.

Carroll is expected to be sidelined until the New Year as a result of the injury he sustained during the club's pre-season trip to New Zealand.

Having missed the first half of last season because of a heel problem, Carroll had spoken of his wish to get through pre-season without any setbacks, but that ended when he was injured in training last month.

The club's £15million record signing has since undergone surgery in America, but he will be out of action until at least December, with Allardyce admitting the latest injury has hit the player hard.

"He is pretty miserable," Allardyce told reporters. "He is not very happy with life at the moment because it is a massive blow to him again. We just have to pick his spirits up.

"Hopefully when the boot comes off and the specialist gives him the okay to start working again he will feel a lot happier with himself.

"But he is certainly very upset and very miserable at this moment in time."

The Hammers will be hoping Enner Valencia can fill the void left by Carroll's injury, but the Ecuador international will miss the start of the season as he works on his fitness.