Andy Carroll wages are a concern for West Ham, admits Sam Allardyce

Sam Allardyce admits the introduction of financial fair play will cut the legs out from under any permanent move for in-form striker Andy Carroll.

The 24-year-old, who is on loan from Liverpool until the end of the season, is having a large chunk of his lofty wages subsidised by the Hammers board, but Allardyce knows financial restrictions that are due to come into force next season in the Premier League will make a permanent deal very difficult.

‘The hardest thing is the overall package and making sure it is sustainable,’ said Allardyce. ‘I point to financial restrictions being implemented next season that will blow the whole deal in one go.

‘Someone will have a bigger budget than us probably but this is what is going to happen.

‘In one fell swoop the financial restrictions mean we won’t be able to sign Andy Carroll from Liverpool because it is too expensive, even if we wanted him, which we do.’

Carroll has scored six goals in 20 games for the Hammers this season, including four in his last five, but FFP will impose short-term limits on wage rises and force clubs to work towards breaking even.