West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has named Andy Carroll among the match day squad for the first time this season as the Hammers ready themselves to take on Manchester City, according to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee.
The reputable source of information surrounding the Irons claims on his personal Twitter account that the 29-year-old – who was dubbed “a certain Geordie striker” in the tweet – has been named among the squad for the first time since recovering from surgery earlier this year.
A certain Geordie striker as been named in the squad tomorrow ??
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) November 23, 2018
The former Newcastle and Liverpool hitman has not been seen once by fans this season due to his injury blow which was suffered before the campaign kicked off, but is back to help bolster the front line alongside the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez.
Opinion
Big news coming out of the London Stadium – and not just because of the height Carroll offers to the side. The Newcastle born forward is a giant up top and brings a whole new element to the side which Pellegrini will be hoping his side can exploit. A starting role is unlikely, with Arnautovic firmly making that his own, but there is still reason for Hammers fans to get excited for he offers a formidable option from the bench. There is nothing that defenders would want less than to spend the last 20 minutes of a game, when they will have already been battling with the physical Arnautovic, than to have a fresh pair of legs come on in the form of Carroll, whose imposing presence in and around the box will be a real challenge for any tired players out there. He has been sorely missed this season and so it is a huge boost to have him back among the squad.