Carroll back from injury: good for West Ham... and England?

(Image credit: 2013 Getty Images)

published 7 January 2014

DAYS after their 5-0 FA Cup humiliation at the hands of Nottingham Forest, Premier League strugglers West Ham have been given a boost with the news that record signing Andy Carroll could be ready to make a comeback, having spent the entire season sidelined with a foot injury. The centre-forward has not kicked a ball for the Hammers since making his loan from Liverpool permanent in a £15m deal this summer. Although he will not be ready for West Ham's League Cup semi-final against Man City on Wednesday, he could make the squad for the important relegation six-pointer against Cardiff City at the weekend. And there is also the possibility that he could return to the starting line-up for the match against the club where he first made his name, Newcastle, on 18 January. Carroll, who was tipped for greatness at the start of his career, has been plagued by injury and has failed to live up to his potential since leaving Newcastle for Liverpool in a £35m deal in January 2011. But news of his return will come as a boost for under fire West Ham manager Sam Allardyce, says the BBC. The Hammers have been so short of options up front this season that they have played some games without a recognised striker. There were rumours that Allardyce could lose his job after the televised rout at the hands of Championship promotion-chasers Forest on Sunday. However, West Ham's co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold gave him their full support in an open letter published on the club's official website. News of Carroll's impending return from injury came on the day that England forward Theo Walcott was ruled out of the World Cup but there appeared to be little enthusiasm about the prospect of a recall for the West Ham striker among fans. He has two goals in nine games for England, but has expressed a desire to force his way back into Roy Hodgson's plans.

Massive blow for England losing Walcott but I guess it does improve the chances on a call up for Andy Carroll! — Hash Brown (@AshBrownx) January 6, 2014