Hammers legend Phil Parkes reckons Andy Carroll is going to have a really tough job on his hands getting back into the team when he finally returns to fitness.

And having had both the striker and captain Kevin Nolan in his hospitality box recently he revealed the striker (and captain) both know they have a big fight.

Parkes – addressing the issue – in typically forthright style declared: “I love the way the team are playing right now…people are running about and there’s a lot of movement. It’s great.

“The manager has players who can play in a variety of ways and I think Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have been great.

“Andy knows he has a real job on his hands and this is exactly how it should be. Obviously one of the other of the new boys could play alongside him tu I don’t think we will be seeing a return to the one up system anytime soon do you?

“And with those two up front Andy will find it tough. In fact if we are entirely honest he looks like a back up striker at the moment although much can happen in this game.

“It’s amazing how things have turned out so far and everybody is looking forward to games and for Andy the competition can only do him the world of good.”