Andy Carroll’s chances of securing a move to Chelsea this month appear to have been dashed after a scan is understood to have shown that the West Ham United striker has an ankle injury which may even require surgery.

Carroll was scanned by West Ham on Thursday morning after being unable to train and the results highlighted a problem. Carroll is therefore expected to be out for between four to six weeks but further medical assessment is needed to decide the appropriate treatment.

The worst case scenario would mean the 29-year-old has to go under the knife which might rule him out of action for between three and four months.

Carroll is wanted by Chelsea and although they are yet to make a formal offer there has been an expectation of a bid in the coming days. West Ham were resistant to Chelsea’s attempts to take Carroll on loan until the end of the season – even if they were also willing to send Michy Batshuayi in the opposite direction.

Instead West Ham were willing to listen to offers to buy Carroll, who has 18 months left on his contract, and a bid of around £20 million would probably have been acceptable. In total, including add-ons, West Ham paid Liverpool £18.5m for Carroll whose career at the club has been blighted by injury.