Ankle injury likely to scupper move for Carroll

West Ham striker Andy Carroll has an ankle injury and faces a possible lengthy absence.

Carroll has been linked with a move to Premier League champions Chelsea, but now any move in January appears to be unlikely after a scan revealed the severity of the injury yesterday.

Surgery is among the options being considered and if 29-year-old Carroll underwent an operation he would be out for months, rather than weeks.

Hammers boss David Moyes is likely to address the matter in his media conference today ahead of tomorrow’s home league clash with Bournemouth. ● Arsenal target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been left out of Borussia Dortmund’s squad to face Hertha Berlin tonight as the German club believe he is “not fully focused”.

The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, although Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would not be drawn on any potential deal when questioned at his press conference yesterday.

Aubameyang was the Bundesliga’s top goalscorer last season as he finished the campaign with 31 goals and has hit 13 in 15 games so far this year.

● New Stoke City boss Paul Lambert completed his first signing with the loan capture of FC Augsburg left-back Kostas Stafylidis until the end of the season.

● Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has agreed an extension to his contract at the Nou Camp until 2022.

The 30-year-old Spain international, who moved to the LaLiga leaders from Manchester United 10 years ago, has a buyout clause of 500 million euros (£441.6m) in the deal.

Andy Carroll: facing injury lay-off.