Allardyce may risk Carroll to help revive West Ham fortunes

West Ham United's manager Sam Allardyce watches during their English League Cup semi-final first leg soccer match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England January 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble

(Reuters) - Desperate times may call for desperate measures for struggling West Ham United after manager Sam Allardyce said Andy Carroll could feature in his first game of the season against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Carroll, 25, who hasn't played since May because of recurring foot injuries, could be risked for the Premier League match at fellow relegation strugglers Cardiff as under-pressure Allardyce tries to revive his beleaguered side.