Carroll: Payet won't disrupt West Ham unity

London - West Ham United striker Andy Carroll insists the uncertainty surrounding the future of star player Dimitri Payet at the club will not distract the team.

The France international made it clear that he wants to be transferred during the January window, and has refused to play for the Hammers in the meantime.

Despite the potential for disruption, the Hammers have won both of their games since Payet went on strike and Carroll is confident it won't affect the rest of the players.

"No one player is going to destroy anything," Carroll told the press after bagging a brace for West Ham in the 3-1 win over Middlesbrough.

"Our response [to the Payet situation] just proves what the lads have got deep down in themselves. Our passion for football, for the manager and for our club - it's everything.

"I think the fight that the lads have got, the fans standing behind us, it's all been great. It is a very tight-knit group, certainly the tightest since I joined West Ham.

"It's great just walking into the dressing room every morning. The lads have always got a smile on their face, even when the manager has dragged us in on a Sunday morning and we don't really want to be there because we're supposed to be off."

Carroll will be looking to continue his goal-scoring form when the Hammers welcome Manchester City to London Stadium on February 1.

kick off is at 21:45.