Former West Ham United striker John Hartson has praised the club for their handling of Andy Carroll's injury problems.

Carroll, who joined the Hammers for £15m from Liverpool over the summer, has been sidelined since the start of the season with a recurring heel problem.

However, Harton believes that the club's medical staff are doing the right thing by not rushing the 24-year-old back into action too quickly.

"It's important that when he comes back he's not carrying any little niggles because that causes setbacks," he told West Ham's official website. "I think that's what West Ham are doing with Andy Carroll at the minute, they want to get him right and get him fit to go and play.

"For me it's important that he is fit when he returns, not only so that he does well for West Ham but he could even break into the England setup before the World Cup."

West Ham return to Premier League action on Saturday when they make the trip to Norwich City.