West Ham forward Andy Carroll admits that he is glad to be back in the first-team fold following his latest injury set-back.

The England international recently spent two weeks on the side-lines with a groin problem he sustained last month, but he made his return to action as a second-half substitute during the Hammers 1-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday.

The injury was the latest in a long line of set-backs for the 27-year-old, as he has only managed to start 31 league matches since moving to Boleyn Ground on a permanent basis from Liverpool in the summer of 2013.

The striker is now looking to enjoy an extended run of matches in the team, and he is keen to help the Irons maintain their impressive run of form, as they currently sit sixth in the Premier League standings.

Carroll said: “It is great to be back in action and out on the pitch again. It will be nice to keep the unbeaten run going and keep the momentum. That is what everyone is looking forward to now.”

Slaven Bilic’s side are next in action when they welcome title-chasing Tottenham to Upton Park on Wednesday and Carroll is looking forward to the challenge of taking on one of the division’s top teams.

He added: “It is a great game for us to play Tottenham and they will be up for it as well. We want to be as high as we can in the league and they want to win it, so we know it is going to be a tough game.”

The Hammers are available at 3.80 to secure all three points on Wednesday, while Spurs are priced at 1.95 and the draw is on offer at 3.40.