Friday, 24th October, 2014



West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that he expects Andy Carroll to return to action in “two to three weeks” time.

The former Liverpool striker tore his ankle ligaments on the Hammers' pre-season tour of New Zealand and is yet to play this season.




Carroll, who underwent an ankle surgery in July, has however returned to training.

And Allardyce explained that he will play the England international in friendly and reserve games before a possible return to first-team action in mid November.
 


"It'll be another two to three weeks, if he has no niggles or problems, before we talk about playing him in the team at any level", Allardyce told the BBC.

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"We'll try to get him through three or four behind-closed-doors games and if that goes all right then we would hope to have him back."

Carroll’s progress at Upton Park has been seriously hampered by injuries, but Allardyce is hopeful about the 25-year-old making a big impact once he returns to action.

"It's been a long, hard road again for Andy and one he's been too familiar with recently, sadly", he added.

"Hopefully he'll have a major impact when he comes back again."

Allardyce further added that Carroll will not be rushed back to action as his sooner than expected return sidelined him for the first five months of last season.

"Last time we got him back he did his ankle but carried on playing, so this time round we don't want to rush him."

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