Ex-Hammer Dean Ashton has signalled Andy Carroll’s return as a possible game changer for West Ham.
The former Liverpool striker has been hampered by injury since arriving at Upton Park in 2012. Carroll has been out of action since April suffering from a groin problem, but his latest recovery to full fitness is a huge boost for the club ahead of Monday night’s game against Huddersfield.
Speaking to whufc.com, Ashton believes Carroll’s availability could give West Ham the edge.
“Andy Carroll is extremely important to West Ham,” Ashton said: “He offers something completely different that not many strikers in the Premier League bring. He gives you that focal point up front. The ball can go into him and people can feed off him. The wide players can give him a real chance.”
New striker Javier Hernandez is settling in well with two goals so far, but West Ham now have options up front.
Yet whether Carroll can stay fit for a prolonged period now remains to be seen. Since joining the club five years ago, initially on loan before signing for £15million a year later, Carroll has only managed only 114 appearances for the Hammers.
