The 23-year-old England striker is on loan from Liverpool with the option of a permanent £17million deal next summer.
But with one source claiming Demba Ba is heading to Anfield in January, the rumour mill still continues to link Carroll with a return to St James' Park in May.
Andre Villas-Boas doesn’t have a great lot of attacking options but does have the services of Emmanuel Adebayor to call upon if he so chooses.
Thus far he has kept faith with Jermain Defoe.
Andy Carroll has yet to score during his season long loan spell at Upton Park but has performed well and it’s perhaps no coincidence that the Hammers are up challenging for a European place.
Liverpool would however demand £17m, and one wonders if Tottenham are ready and willing to stump up the cash for a player who's goalscoring record is not spectacular.
Carroll has made a total of 58 appearances for Liverpool since his £35m move from Newcastle United, of which 23 were from the bench, netting 11 goals in the process.