Hammers pounce for free agent after news of long-term Carroll injury.
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West Ham are set to pounce for the signing of free agent Mladen Petric after hearing that striker Andy Carroll could be out until as late as January with injury, according to the Daily Express.
Carroll suffered a further setback to a problem with his achilles upon returning to training, meaning Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is concerned he will not have the use of his main striker, a £15m summer signing from Liverpool, for another four months.
West Ham’s problems upfront had seen them linked with a return for recently-released Carlton Cole, though there were concerns over his fitness as he returned for a medical with the club. Meanwhile, another free agent target, Ciprian Marica, seems likely to be joining Arsenal.
This has led Allardyce to identify Petric as a possible option upfront for his side. The 32-year-old Croatian spent last season with Fulham, scoring five goals for the Cottagers before being released at the end of the campaign.
Still without a new club, Petric is free to move and sign a contract with a team despite the close of the summer transfer window last week, and seems a good short-term fit for Allardyce and West Ham.