Is Nolan key in Carroll deal?

Kevin Nolan could provide the necessary leverage to see England striker Andy Carroll move to West Ham on a surprise loan deal.

The Liverpool forward, who moved to Merseyside for an astonishing £35million fee on transfer deadline day in January 2011 has been linked with a move away from Liverpool since new manager Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club.

Within the last 12 hours, West Ham have admitted that they are looking at the possibility of brining the former Newcastle United man to Upton Park on loan for the 2012/13 season.

Assistant manager Neil McDonald, when asked if there was any interest in Carroll told a radio station last night: "Of course, he's a very good player.

"I very much doubt he will be available, he's a Liverpool player - but the manager and the board are working very hard to bring new players in to liven everything up."

Meanwhile an unnamed source told ESPN's Harry Harris: "We're rating their chances of getting Carroll on loan as low as 10%, but you never know."

Although sources said to be close to the 23-year-old are reported to have told a tabloid newspaper that, "there is no chance of Andy leaving Liverpool, he is staying put", West Ham will no doubt be seeking to exploit the close personal relationship that exists between captain Kevin Nolan and Carroll to influence a possible deal.

Back in 2010, when both players were employed by Newcastle, Carroll temporarily moved in with Nolan and his family after being bailed following an assault charge.

Speaking at the time, West Ham's current captain said: "Andy is a great lad to be around. He's always happy and smiling. He's had his fair share of trouble but didn't we all when we were that young?" Since then, the two have remained great friends.

Interestingly perhaps, Carroll's embittered former agent Peter Harrison suggested back in March that should West Ham win promotion from the Championship, the Gateshead-born striker - who is currently represented by Mark Curtis, the controversial agent who recently took both James Tomkins and Jack Collison under his wing - would end up at West Ham.

Speaking via his Twitter feed at the time, Harrison said: "When I represented Andy Carroll before he was pinched by Mark Curtis, he was always wanting a transfer. If WHUFC get promoted they will take AC.

"His agent, Mark Curtis is also [Kevin] Nolan and Sam Allardyce's agent. Lovely and cozy and plenty of money."