Slaven Bilic has reminded Andy Carroll that his World Cup hopes next summer rest solely on performing for West Ham this season.
The England international’s injury struggles have continued this season, but he has started the last four league games after missing the first weeks due to a groin injury.
With injuries derailing his career, Carroll has not been part of an England squad since 2012, but the striker is hoping that he will get noticed this season ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
The 28-year-old striker is yet to find the back of the net this season, but Bilic admits that the extravaganza in Russia this year is a huge motivating factor for his players.
However, he wants Carroll to concentrate on doing well and scoring goals for West Ham at the moment as that is the only way he will force his way back into England manager Gareth Southgate’s thoughts ahead of next summer.
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Asked about Carroll’s motivation in a World Cup season, Bilic said in a press conference: “Players are hoping and thinking of the World Cup, not only British players but the foreigners too. It’s a motivation and it’s the same for Andy Carroll.
“We spoke so many times, as we did before Euro 2016.
"He needs to be consistent, play well, score goals and make an impact on a regular basis for West Ham to think about an England call-up.
“I watched the second England game because of Aaron Cresswell, but Andy needs to concentrate on club football because only by playing well for West Ham will he force Gareth Southgate to give him a call.”
The striker has nine England caps to his name and has hit the back of the net twice on the international stage.
