I’M PLAYING FOR MY FUTURE

Carroll wants a new Hammers contract but admits he must shine after another injury-hit season

ANDY CARROLL is determined to win a new deal at West Ham after admitting he is playing for his future.

The £100,000-a-week striker, who turned 30 on Sunday, toasted his birthday with an FA Cup goal to sink Birmingham the day before.

The stoppage-time header was Carroll’s first goal since April on his first start in a year. He signed a six-year deal with

West Ham in 2013 with an option for a further two years.

Luckless

Carroll, however, has been beset by injuries during his time at the club leading to uncertainty over whether his contract will be extended.

“Of course I want to stay,” he said. “I’m just playing football as it is and not thinking about that. Yes, I want to stay and I want a new deal but I can’t really think about that every day. I’ve just got to play my football when I get the chance.

“I’ve got a two-year option at the end of the season so we’ll see what happens. I’ve got to play a few more games like this one and

impress the manager in the minutes he gives me.” Carroll has suffered a succession of knee and hamstring injuries and started against Birmingham after an ankle setback kept him out for the first four months of this season.

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini continues to give Carroll his full backing, but the forward admitted that he had to call on all of his mental strength to get through his injury nightmare. “It is hard, yeah of course,” he said. “The first few weeks I thought I did well and then it went again, the screw was loose in my ankle, it was tough but that’s what happens sometimes. “You’ve got to get on with it and the lads and the staff and everyone were fantastic, they have been helping me along and it has been good. You’ve got to have good friends around you.

“The lads can see I’m down and want to be out there. They keep my spirits high and I go home and all the family are doing the same. “My missus says I’ve been annoying even when I’m not injured. It’s especially tough for her when I am injured so I’ve got to thank her and the lads.” Carroll revealed he had been desperate for the confidence boost of a goal against Birmingham – especially after missing a sitter just minutes before. “I was going to place it with my right foot, but I saw the keeper slide out and block the angle for me,” he added. “That’s when I changed my mind and tried to drag it round him and my touch was a little bit too hard. “But they say with strikers if you don’t succeed you try and try again and as soon as the ball came in that was my chance to make it right. “It has been a long time, I have worked hard and I was desperate to get a goal to be honest. I’ve been dreaming about it a long time so it is nice to get one.”