Andy Carroll was released by West Ham this summer, leading to his emotional return to Newcastle.
The striker missed the Wolves clash due to injury, but was pictured in training ahead of the trip to the capital. And his former manager Manuel Pellegrini hopes to see him in action at the London Stadium.
“I don’t know about the fitness of Andy Carroll, but I hope that he will be fit because he’s a player who has had so many injuries, unlucky injuries, and he deserves to try to have a normal season,” the Hammer boss said in his pre-match press conference.
“If Andy Carroll is on the bench it will be one more difficult player that Newcastle has, and if he’s not, they have another player who is always a great danger.”
A classy response from Pellegrini, who didn’t get to see the best of Carroll in a West Ham shirt. He made 14 appearances last season, finding the net once in an FA Cup tie.
We’re yet to see the best of Carroll in a Newcastle shirt this season either. He’s been limited to substitute appearances, coming off the bench on four occasions.
The Magpies have been pretty woeful going forward, but it’s unclear whether or not a fully fit Carroll will be able to change our fortunes.
Pellegrini may want to see Carroll play on Saturday for sentimental reasons, or because he knows his defenders will be able to deal with the unfit big man easily.
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