West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has admitted that it is a "massive" season for striker Andy Carroll.

The 27-year-old has been limited to just 37 Premier League starts over the last three seasons, and has not managed double figures of goals in the top flight since the 2010-11 campaign.

However, Bilic believes that Carroll has the ability to be a 20-goal striker if he manages to make it through the entire season injury free.

"It's a massive one. But we said the same last year. He has done the whole of pre-season. OK, we rested him for a couple of games but that was when he needed a rest, it was nothing down to injury," he told reporters.

"When we wanted to sign the kind of striker who is going to score 20 goals per season, last year statistically his goal rate and assist rate and impact rate is 20 goals a season - minimum.

"But the problem was that because of the number of games he was available it was not 20 goals, it was nine. We hope this season he is going to be injury free."

The Hammers will begin their campaign away to Chelsea on Monday night.