West Ham are confident that giant striker Andy Carroll will be back ready for action this month as he closes in on a surprise early return from his injury layoff, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claim that the England international had been expected to be available to manager Manuel Pellegrini some time in November after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury, which has kept him out of action for the entirety of the new season so far.
However, it is said that the former Newcastle and Liverpool target man is on course to make a return after the international break, which is just over two weeks away, meaning that the Irons are set for a boost to their first team hopes earlier than expected.
Opinion
Having Carroll available might not seem like an urgent priority right now, with the current stars of the starting XI performing admirably in attack, but having his giant frame to offer another options up top could prove to be exactly what the Irons need. Javier Hernandez and Lucas Perez have hardly done anything this season, with Marko Arnautovic leading the line, and while the Austrian is also an imposing threat up top, his skills are still different to those of Carroll. Bringing that big presence off the bench should see the Hammers remain comfortable with their tactics, instead of having to adapt for the likes of Chicarito, but also provide some necessary change which they will be hoping instigates success. Plus, with a contract expiring next summer, this is Carroll’s chance to prove he still has what it takes to be a success in east London, for the more time he misses with injury, the less time he has to earn himself a new deal.