Andy Carroll's fitness "getting better" following lengthy injury woe

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has insisted that his fitness is improving as the new season edges closer.

The former Liverpool player has not played first-team football since February after he suffered a knee injury during a goalless draw against Southampton at St Mary's.

The 26-year-old has been in and out of the team since his £15m move from the Reds in 2013 due to various injuries, including an Achilles problem which required treatment overseas.

Now though, the forward is determined to reclaim a place in the side under new manager Slaven Bilic.

"The injury is going well and I have pretty much been in every day working on it and strengthening the injury," Carroll told the club's official website. "I started jogging and it is all getting better.

"I have been in the gym a long time now and it is nice to be outside going for a jog and it felt great afterwards. Hopefully I can be back out there. I want to step it up again and start kicking a ball but I am glad to be outside and moving again."

Away from the pitch, earlier this week, Carroll and his fiancee Billi Mucklow welcomed their first child together - a baby boy.