Carroll: More goals will come from Ayew at West Ham

West Ham striker Andy Carroll insists Andre Ayew must be given time to show his quality after a difficult start to life at the London Stadium.

Ghanaian international Ayew, who joined the Hammers in a £20million deal from Swansea in the summer, was sidelined with a hamstring injury for the opening stages of the campaign.

He returned to full fitness in October and scored his first goal in claret and blue against his former side in West Ham’s 4-1 victory on Boxing Day.

Having scored 12 goals in all competitions for Swansea last season, it has proven to be a frustrating few months for the 27-year-old, who will be absent from the West Ham line-up for the remainder of the month to play in the African Cup of Nations.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

But Carroll is already looking forward to welcoming Ayew back into the Hammers’ fold, convinced the best is yet to come from his strike partner.

“Andre is a great player,” he said. “He’s a great signing for us and it’s a shame that he had an injury at the beginning of the season, but he’s back fit now and looking forward to getting some more goals.

“The manager isn’t going to be happy [losing players to AFCON] and obviously it’s difficult as players but it’s something that happens and we have to get on with it.”