Southampton 1 West Ham United 1 match report: I'll stay if West Ham want me enough, says Liverpool striker Andy Carroll

Striker is currently at Upton Park on loan

James Collins of West Ham tries to tackle Nathamiel Clyne of Southampton (Getty Images)

Andy Carroll is open to joining West Ham permanently but admits to being unsure as to where his future lies. The striker, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, scored the equaliser in the Hammers' 1-1 draw at Southampton on Saturday.

The east Londoners have the option to make the deal permanent for an undisclosed fee, although reports this week suggest they will reduce their offer.

"I've just got to wait and see, really," Carroll said. "We'll see what happens at the end of the season." Asked whether he would stay if West Ham put the right money on the table, he added: "It is obviously a great club and I don't see why not."

The West Ham manager, Sam Allardyce, appears nearer to a new deal with the club. Allardyce is yet to receive an extension to his contract, which expires in the summer, but after seeing his side move on to 38 points with the one picked up at St Mary's, he is confident a new deal is not far away.

"It is closer. Hopefully, we can get it tied up soon so we can get on with pre-season work," he said. "When it's all tied up, we want to put pen to paper as soon as we can. Let's just get this season over and done with."

The Southampton defender Jos Hooiveld will not be resting on his laurels, despite the club looking set for top-flight football again next season after also picking up their 38th point. "We are not going to relax," the Dutchman said. "We just came up and we want to get the most amount of points possible. I think 53 is the most possible so if we get that, then we can relax. There's still five games left and we want to end this season in style."

Goals: So'ton Ramirez 59. West Ham Carroll 66.

Subs: Sot Rodriguez (Lallana, 72), Puncheon (Ramirez, 78). WH Collison 6 (Jarvis, 58), Pogatetz 6 (Tomkins, 64), Taylor (Vaz Te, 85).

Booked: Sot Schneiderlin, Fox. WH Carroll, Pogatetz, Vaz Te. Man of match Diame. Match rating 6/10. Poss: So'ton 58%. West Ham 42%.

Attempts on target: So'ton 11. West Ham 4.

Referee M Dean (Wirral). Attendance 31,984.