West Ham United assistant coach Alan Irvine has claimed that the club have no intention of allowing Andy Carroll to leave on loan this month.
Chelsea are believed to be keen on getting a deal done for the England international, who has scored two goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season.
Reports emerged claiming that the Hammers were worried about Carroll potentially forcing a transfer, and now Irvine has spoken out about the rumours.
"I certainly hope Andy will be a player here at the end of the month," the London Evening Standard quotes Irvine as saying. "I don't think we have had any offers, in terms of taking him on loan, and I don't think the club would entertain him going out on loan.
"That does not help us and we need as much help as we can get between now and the end of the season, so I don't know why that would be attractive to the club if it was to come up. There has been a lot of talk about it, but not necessarily anybody doing anything about it."
Carroll, who recent seasons have been marred by inury, has started just eight games in all competitions.