• Andy Carroll recovering from ankle injury • ‘I’m just dying to be back out there and involved,’ says striker

Andy Carroll, who hopes to return to training in the next fortnight, does not feel he has let West Ham down because of his ankle problems.

The striker has endured a frustrating time since becoming West Ham’s record signing last year. He missed the first half of last season with a foot injury and suffered yet another setback when he injured ankle ligaments during pre-season training.

Although Carroll is not putting a time frame on when he will be ready to play again, he has been boosted by resuming running sooner than expected.

“I haven’t had a problem with my ankle or anything,” Carroll said at the launch of West Ham’s Club London hospitality packages for the Olympic Stadium. “In the next couple of weeks I should be joining in with the lads. I’ve got to take it slowly – obviously I’ve had a few niggles and problems in the past. I don’t want them to carry on so I’ve got to take it one step at a time.

“That’s why it’s going so well and I’m not rushing anything. I’ve not had a problem since I’ve been back running. There’s no target, but I’m ready when I’m ready. The physio says there is no target.”

Carroll said that jibes over his fitness record did not bother him and that he wanted to repay the faith West Ham showed by signing him for £15m from Liverpool.

“I don’t really care what people say to be honest,” he said. “I know myself and know I’ve had problems. I’m not hiding away from that. Hopefully this is the last one and I get it out of the way. I just want to get back playing football.

“They have put a lot of faith in me, paying a lot of money. I don’t feel I’ve let them down because obviously it’s an injury that I couldn’t have helped. I’ve done it in training and in a game. It’s an injury that I don’t want and obviously no one at the club wants. I do obviously want to be back out there, repaying the faith they put in me.”

West Ham, who beat Liverpool 3-1 last Saturday, have bolstered their attacking options with the signings of Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia and both have impressed in Carroll’s absence.

“I think when I’m on form and playing well, I can get in the starting lineup,” Carroll said. “When you’ve got a big team and a good squad like we’ve got now, that’s a good thing to have, to fight for your place and not expect it.

“They’re playing great football and it’s great to see. I was over the moon with the result against Liverpool. Obviously against Hull it was a good game as well. I’m just dying to be back out there and involved, even just in training with them. I’m getting a lot closer to it now and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Ravel Morrison has announced on Twitter he has joined Cardiff City from West Ham on a three-month loan.