David Moyes shared that Andy Carroll was getting closer to a West Ham return but doubted that the forward would be fit enough to play 90 minutes again this season.
The Hammers manager provided the fitness update on the 28-year-old in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Southampton at the London Stadium.
“Andy Carroll is improving and is getting closer to coming back,” stated Moyes in his press conference on Friday, as quoted by the club’s official site.
“He’s doing a lot of running and changes of direction.
“Can I get him fit to play 90 minutes between now and the end of the season?
“I don’t know, but if I can get him fit to play 20-30 minutes then that would be good.”
Carroll was last in action for his side against Spurs on January 4, where he played only the last five minutes of the game.
Ahead of getting injured, the centre-forward made 14 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals in the process.
OPINION
Moyes offered hope regarding Carroll with one hand, before taking it away with the other. The Hammers are only two points clear of the relegation zone ahead of playing the Saints on Saturday and are in need of some good news. The 28-year-old forward may not have been in the most prolific form in the first half of the season, but Carroll is always capable of being an intimidating presence in the Hammers’ side. While it’s good to hear him improve, with only seven games left after Saturday’s match, he’s running out of time to come and help his team. Moyes might want to squeeze 20 minutes action out of him, but it’s doubtful that the Hammers manager will risk him getting injured.