West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says he will make “late decisions” on the fitness of both Aaron Cresswell and Andy Carroll before the match against Arsenal tomorrow evening.
Wing back Cresswell came off in the second half due to a tight groin, but could still play against the Gunners if he suffers no further problems before tomorrow. Bilic also revealed the latest on Andy Carroll’s return to full fitness. Writing in his column for the Evening Standard, the Hammers boss said:
“Looking forward, we have to make some late decisions on a few players. I have spoken to Aaron and he said he just felt tightness in his groin. He was worried that, if he had stayed on, he could have suffered a significant injury…”
“As for Andy Carroll, he is fit, he trained this week with no reaction and we want to make him ready for tomorrow’s match if possible.”
Carroll has been sidelined since August with a knee injury. He was initially only meant to be out for six weeks but it has taken much longer to recover than anticipated with it being over three months since he appeared in a Hammers shirt.
It is a timely return after it was announced earlier this week that Diafra Sakho will be sidelined with a thigh injury for up to six weeks.
