Tony Gale believes that Andy Carroll and West Ham United could be a match made in heaven.

The 23-year-old Liverpool forward is rumoured to be out of favour at Anfield following the arrival of new Reds manager Brendan Rodgers, and West Ham are among a number of clubs to have been linked with an interest in the player.

Carroll only found the net four times in the Premier League last season, but former Hammers defender Gale thinks that a move to Upton Park could help resurrect his stuttering career.

Gale told talkSPORT: "[The story] is building up a head of steam, and West Ham could be good for him. The fans there love a trier and there's no doubt Andy is a trier.

"And with the links to Sam [Allardyce] and Kevin Nolan, it could fit. You don't move for friendship's sake but Kevin had a big influence on him at Newcastle and tried to help him when he had a few wild times.

"He's still raw, he's not got a lot of experience, and he needs game time. But when he's at his best, and you saw that at Newcastle, he's a handful – a proper, old-fashioned handful - and they're a rare breed."

Liverpool are reportedly willing to accept bids of £15m for Carroll.