West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has reportedly been told he can step up his rehabilitation programme as he bids to return from a foot injury.

The Hammers' record signing has not played for the club since damaging his heel in pre-season after he made the £15m switch from Liverpool.

However, the England man is now walking free of pain and is understood to preparing to move on to the next phase of his recovery, meaning that the club may be able to put a timescale on his absence, according to the Daily Mail.

Sam Allardyce's side are currently 17th in the Premier League.