West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has revealed that Jack Collison's knee injury will plague the midfielder for the rest of his career.

The 23-year-old hasn't featured for the Hammers this season due to the problem, with which he has struggled for the last few years.

"He has a problem that is going to stay with him for the rest of his career. He manages it brilliantly, but there are times when he gets a lot of fluid in there and he is not available for training. It is us managing that side of it," said Allardyce.

"His knee, unfortunately for Jack, is never going to be 100% so he has to do a management job. It is not as drastic as, in the past, Paul McGrath or Ledley King, but it is similar.

"He is gutted, obviously. He is almost like the forgotten man."

Collison last played for West Ham in their Championship playoff triumph over Blackpool in May.