Andy Carroll is nearing the kind of fitness, sharpness and in-game guile that could see him reap rewards in front of goal for West Ham any time soon.
And big striker Carroll has declared he is in bouyant mood ahead of the Hammers’ trip to AFC Bournemouth at the weekend on the back of the game against Chelsea at the London Stadium on Monday night.
Slaven Bilic’s side ran out 2-1 winners but they endured the loss having displayed grit and determination and no lack of ambition and possession. For Carroll and his team-mates there were so many positives to take from the match.
Carroll played the full 90 minutes during the reverse in what was his first appearance since February 4 because of a persistent groin injury; that said he contributed in providing stiff opposition for Antonio Conte’s Premier League table-toppers.
The win leaves Chelsea 10 points clear at the summit of the top flight but for West Ham it’s about gaining more points and battling for the remainder of the campaign to solidify and finish as high up the league table as possible.
And former Newcastle and Liverpool frontman Carroll reckons he is ready to go again when the Hammers come up against the Cherries, managed by Eddie Howe.
He said: “I feel good. I was obviously a bit tired at the end as I only trained three or four times in the weeks before. To get 90 minutes was great and the groin’s fine.”
Looking back at the game against Chelsea, Carroll says Bilic’s men can take heart from their performance.
He added: “We’ve got a good team. We’re working hard and it was just mistakes that led to them going in front. We were playing well and had a few chances. The ball was coming into the box but we couldn’t quite get a clear-cut chance. Then they punished us for our mistakes, but we never gave up and scored at the end.”
Carroll bids to get back amongst the goals in claret and blue at the Vitality Stadium despite suffering a bang on the head in a clash with former West Ham loanee Victor Moses.
He explained: “The ball came to the back post and I thought I was in. Vic jumped out of nowhere and I caught the back of his head. It’s not too bad and I’ll just get on with it.”