West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has stated that he will have to be patient with Andy Carroll as he returns from injury.

The 26-year-old striker made his first start since January in the League Cup defeat against Leicester City on Tuesday, having spent seven months out with a knee injury.

Bilic has said that giving the England man an hour at the King Power Stadium will do him good.

"Andy couldn't do more in training. After seven months out, these things take time. We have to be patient and we don't want to rush him," Bilic told Sky Sports News.

"Having said that, he can only regain that edge by playing games, so we have to find the right balance."

Carroll could feature when West Ham host Norwich City on Saturday.