Andy Carroll's seven-year association with West Ham appears to be nearing an end with the England striker left out of Manuel Pellegrini's squad again on Saturday.
Carroll's current £90,000-a-week contract expires at the end of this season.
The east London club have a two-year option on the 30-year-old but it is understood they would have to offer him a pay-rise if triggered.
Carroll, who has started just three Premier League games this season, is expected to leave in the summer and the player's level of fitness is currently unclear.
Pellegrini was asked about Carroll after their lacklustre 2-0 loss to Cardiff and the Chilean simply said: 'He was not considered for this game.'
Pressed on whether it was injury related, the 65-year-old continued: 'He was not considered for this game. He has a small problem in his ankle but he was not on the list.'
West Ham are now winless in their last seven away games. Pellegrini fears his players are thinking about the run and it is holding them back.
'That's why we need to talk with them during the week,' he said. 'It is not normal to lose four (of the last five) away games and not score one goal.
'We need to play exactly the same way that we are at home.'