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West Ham foward Andy Carroll back to full training
Andy Carroll has returned to full training as West Ham’s record signing finally appears to be edging closer to a Premier League comeback.
Carroll has spent the season in two European rehabilitation centres after aggravating a heel problem last summer. But there now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
The news will be a major boost for Sam Allardyce, who is pinning his hopes on Carroll to lift his struggling side to safety in the second half of the season. “Andy did a training session, which is encouraging,” said West Ham assistant Neil McDonald.
“It’s good to have him on the training field and joining in with the football with a select group.
“But it’s slow progress. When you are out for seven months you can’t rush him back.”
Allardyce could be forced to look for a new defender, as well as a striker, in January.
With James Collins and James Tomkins joining Winston Reid on the sidelines, West Ham are facing a defensive crisis for their London derby at Fulham tomorrow.
“We have six players out at the moment who would be in the team if they are fit,” said McDonald.
“We are aiming to improve the squad and the main areas are in defence and in attack. Sam is working non-stop.”