Andy Carroll is set to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly after he picked up an ankle injury against Norwich City, according to the Mirror.
Due to the forward’s injury-prone past, Bilic opted against putting Andy Carroll in the squad for the trip to Sunderland despite scans revealing that the striker was fit to play.
Carroll will use the international break as a means of building up his fitness once more in order to frequently feature for Slaven Bilic’s side this season. There is no doubt that when the striker is fit and in form he should be featuring for England but that particular aim is a long way off for Carroll at the moment.
The Hammers expect the striker to be fully fit for the trip to Crystal Palace after the international break. He has been training all week and the behind-closed-doors game will give him such much-needed minutes under his belt.
The Club’s Head of Medical and Sport Science Stijn Vandenbroucke updated fans on the fitness of key players in an article on whufc.com.
He confirmed that the likes of Enner Valencia and Angelo Ogbonna had also trained all week. Ogbonna has looked impressive for the Hammers so far and his return to the first team will provide a real boost at the back. Valencia has not played a minute of Premier League football so far but his playing style is certainly one that would suit Bilic’s approach.
Vandenbroucke also mentioned Alex Song, stating that the midfielder is working hard on his comeback as he closes in on a first team return. Doneil Henry is recovering from a groin problem and Winston Reid should be fit for Palace despite coming off with an injury against Sunderland.
