Thursday 3 November 2016 12:21, UK
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic says Andy Carroll is "good" despite being held up at gunpoint in a dramatic incident on Wednesday.
Carroll was driving home from a training session when the suspects demanded that he stop at a junction and gestured they had weapons.
Both men attempted to block his Mercedes G-Wagon when he tried to get away.
They then pursued the 27-year-old as he returned to the team's training ground for help from security staff.
Bilic said: "Andy Carroll is good. I just spoke to him about what happened. He is okay.
"He was probably targeted. I don't think it was a coincidence and he was chased for a long time.
"He was very brave and came back to the training ground. Thankfully he is good and not in shock. He acted in a brave manner.
"Whatever he needs or any other player we can provide for them. He is smiling today and is in a good environment now.
Carroll has missed much of the season because of an injury he suffered back in August but Bilic confirmed the striker is getting closer to a return to action.
"He will continue to do his rehab and is running. He started that a couple of days ago," he said.
"If he continues we would expect him back on the pitch in two weeks."
Bilic was speaking ahead of Saturday's match at the London Stadium with Stoke City, who arrive in good spirits after their impressive 3-1 win over Swansea on Monday night.
Stoke are two points above and five places ahead of the Hammers who lost 2-0 at Everton last week. Bilic expects a tough afternoon against Mark Hughes' men.
"We are creating many chances and we need to covert them," he said.
"Stoke have Marko Arnautovic out through suspension but Wilfried Bony [who scored twice against the Swans] has hit the ground running. They have hit a bit of form and it will be tough."
