OPINION
Andy Carroll has made his long-awaited return from injury to make two substitute appearances for West Ham in the last week in a boost for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Having the big man back ahead of a hectic winter schedule will be a massive relief for Pellegrini, who has just lost star striker Marko Arnautovic to injury for at least a month.
Carroll is yet to make a real impact for the Hammers in those two recent run-outs, but that is only to be expected after another lengthy lay-off for the 29-year-old.
As the season rolls on attention will inevitably turn to the question of Carroll’s future at the London Stadium, with the striker out of contract at the end of the season.
Carroll has now spoken out on the subject, making it clear that he is indeed chasing a new deal with West Ham and not looking to move elsewhere.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “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.”
This is a revealing statement from Carroll as he admits he will be pursuing a fresh deal at the London Stadium, which is something that looks rather unlikely at the moment.
His return for the club has been minimal when compared to their financial investment in his £90,000-a-week wages [Spotrac], and he has his work cut out to persuade the club to hand him a new deal in the summer.
The striker must in fact play out of his skin if he wants to secure that fresh contract, as nothing short of an exceptional five months or so will convince the club to back him again.
It is a mammoth task, there can be no doubt about that, but if Carroll manages it then props to him.