Sunday 25 October 2015 13:32, UK
Andy Carroll can stay fit in the long-term and be "a big player" for West Ham and England, according to Slaven Bilic.
The striker's winner against Chelsea on Saturday was his first goal this season and just an eighth since he made a permanent move to east London in the summer of 2013.
Injuries have restricted Carroll to just 24 Premier League starts in that time, but Bilic is confident a rigorous recent training programme has left the 26-year-old in shape to perform for club and country.
Roy Hodgson, who gave Carroll the most recent of his England caps in October 2012, was at the Chelsea game, and Bilic said: "Andy is a big player for us, and also for England. He is special.
"He gives us a lot of options. It's not just long balls, he is a great player, his quality has never been in doubt. We just needed to get him fit.
"Now we are in a really good situation with that and he should be fit long-term. Then West Ham and possibly England should have a great benefit."
Carroll's goal was his first since January, and he told the club website: "It's a great feeling to score any goal, but obviously it has been a long time since I last scored. To get the win as well is even better.
"When I saw the ball come across I knew I had a chance to put it in and as soon as it went in it was a feeling like you really can't describe. It might be a typical Andy Carroll goal, but I'll take it.
"I just want to be on the pitch and if it's 20 or 25 minutes it's a great feeling. Obviously I want to start, but it's been a long injury and long time so I'll take every minute I get."
