Carroll sent home after argument with Moyes

David Moyes ordered Andy Carroll home from West Ham’s training ground yesterday after the pair were involved in an angry confrontation. The club’s board are expected to launch an investigation.

The West Ham manager has taken a hardline stance with Carroll after the striker disappeared down the tunnel towards the end of the 4-1 defeat by Manchester City on Sunday. He had been an unused substitute.

Carroll, it is understood, returned to the dressing room to use the lavatory after Moyes made a triple substitution midway through the second half.

Moyes promised to “deal with it” and yesterday instructed Carroll to return home after reporting to the club’s training base. It is unclear whether West Ham will fine the former England international but sources have revealed the club’s board will investigate.

Carroll has been growing increasingly frustrated over his lack of first-team opportunities under

Moyes, failing to start a Premier League game since the 2-1 win over West Brom on Jan 2 – when he scored both goals. The 29-year-old is now facing an uncertain future if Moyes remains in charge of the club for next season.

After the game, Moyes said: “It’s something I’ll deal with. In this situation, what you need is everybody to be a team member so if he has done that, I’ll look at it and I’ll deal with it.”

Moyes and Carroll have already clashed this season, after the 2-0 defeat at Watford in November.

West Ham’s defeat by the Premier League champions left the club just three points above the

relegation zone, raising further questions over whether Moyes will be given next season in charge.

Pablo Zabaleta, the veteran defender, said: “We’re at Leicester on Saturday, we are three points above the relegation zone so it is still in our hands. After that we have the last two games at home, against Manchester United and Everton.

“We need to forget this result, it wasn’t good but we need to be positive. One more win could be enough but we can’t wait for other teams to keep dropping points. We need to think about West Ham.”