Former Hammers striker Tony Cottee believes Andy Carroll is vital to the club's chances of staying in the Premier League.
Carroll signed for West Ham in a transfer deadline day loan move from Liverpool and made an instant impact on his debut, where he played an important part in the side's 3-0 win over Fulham in September.
But the 23-year-old striker spent the next four weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and Cottee claims Carroll's fitness could be the difference between Premier League survival and relegation.
Cottee told TalkSport: "If they can keep him fit then they look a different team.
"I think he's a great signing for the club and hopefully he'll be there all season. If he is, I think West Ham have got more than enough to stay in the Premier League."
Cottee also feels West Ham must pick up at least four points from their next two outings against Southampton and Wigan before they embark on a run of difficult fixtures throughout November and December.
"It's a must win game for West Ham [Saturday's home tie against Southampton] because the fixtures coming up in November and December are absolutely horrendous.
"They have got Southampton at home on Saturday and then they have Wigan away. They are two games where they have really got to get four or even six points out of because they then have games like Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham all in November and December.
"So they must, must beat Southampton. It won't be easy as Southampton have some good players but I am confident West Ham will get the three points," he added.
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