Hammers blow as Andy Carroll out with knee injury

London: West Ham striker Andy Carroll will be out of action for up to six weeks after tearing a ligament in his knee, manager Sam Allardyce confirmed.

The 26-year-old was forced off in West Ham`s midweek 0-0 draw at Southampton as Allardyce`s side finished the game with only nine men following a red card for goalkeeper Adrian.

It is another setback for 26-year-old Carroll who missed the start of the season and much of last year with injuries.

"I think a full diagnosis is yet to come," said Allardyce.

"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.

"Hopefully (he will only miss) four to six weeks if we are lucky, depending on Andy`s recovery rate. It is a big blow for him and a big blow for us but it is one we have to cope with.

"It is traumatic when someone is going through a period when in a short time they overcome one injury and another occurs."