West Ham striker Andy Carroll wants to earn a contract extension, according to talkSPORT.
In an interview with talkSPORT pundit Ian Abrahams, Carroll revealed that he is eager to prove his fitness and prolong his West Ham stay.
Carroll divides opinion among West Ham fans, with his injury concerns weighed up against his effectiveness as a target man.
The 29-year-old is out of contract this summer and will become a free agent unless West Ham tie him down to a longer deal.
Carroll injury concerns
West Ham signed the former Newcastle striker from Liverpool, initially on loan, in 2012.
He is now into his seventh season with the Hammers but he has only played 130 games in that time.
This season, the ex-England international missed the opening games and has only just completed his comeback, coming off the bench in the last two matches.
Carroll on his future
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Carroll confirmed that he wants to win a new deal under Manuel Pellegrini.
Carroll told talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams: “It’s important for me to get back playing, get back fully fit and show that I deserve another deal here.
“Be great if I can get it. If not, then we’ll see what happens. But at the minute I am focused on staying here and that’s where my head is at.”
Is it worth it?
There is no doubt that, when fit, Carroll is a very useful player to have in your squad.
Given his 6ft 4in frame, his strength and his jump, Carroll is effective as a target man up front.
In 71 minutes of action this season, Carroll has won eight aerial duels, according to Who Scored.
In order to cope with Carroll, defenders usually resort to fouling him and he has already drawn three fouls from opposing defenders this season.
But considering the amount of time he spends on the sidelines, there are concerns that giving him a new deal would just be wasting more wages.
Carroll has to prove his fitness for the rest of the season for West Ham to consider giving him an extension.
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