Friday 25 November 2016 22:35, UK
Andy Carroll could feature against Manchester United this weekend after just three days' training, says West Ham boss Slaven Bilic.
The England striker has spent the last three months recovering from a knee injury and was only able to resume full training this week.
However, Bilic has not ruled out including Carroll in his squad for Old Trafford on Sunday as he aims to improve a record of 13 goals in 12 league games.
"He's been training with us for three days," said Bilic. "He came back after a long injury and he's very close.
"He could be in the squad. We're going to see, because we are not talking about two weeks of training. It has been this week, so we'll see."
A run of six goals in five league games in the spring was a reminder of the menace Carroll possesses, but he has missed 83 games since making a £15m move from Liverpool in 2013.
"Last year, before he got injured, when he was fit he makes an impact on a game, no matter who you play against," Bilic added.
"It's very hard to play against him. The things he is giving us are great. But we've been talking about this since I came to West Ham.
"It's a shame because you don't see it coming, only when you look at his record on paper. You don't see in training and in games that he has got problems, but unfortunately it has happened a few times."
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