West Ham United forward Andy Carroll has returned to first-team training, a tweet from the club's Twitter account has revealed.

The 25-year-old England international has yet to kick a ball for the Hammers this term following his latest injury lay-off, with an ankle ligament problem ruling him out since the summer.

Carroll, who became West Ham's record signing when he joined from Liverpool for £15m in the summer of 2013, has been restricted to 15 Premier League appearances since making his loan move permanent.

PIC: The Big Man @AndyTCarroll is back on the training field #WHUFC #COYI pic.twitter.com/mbrcxqCdeM

The powerful striker has scored nine Premier League goals in 34 starts for the Irons but his time at Upton Park has been interrupted by a series of injuries.

Carroll's last appearance came in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the final day of last season.