Hammers new home the best motivation for injured Carroll

Andy Carroll insists the thought of making his first Premier League appearance at the London Stadium is proving the perfect motivation as he battles back from injury.

Carroll got off to the ideal start at the Hammers’ new home with two goals against Juventus in the pre-season Betway Cup back in August.

However, the 27-year-old suffered a knee injury in West Ham’s Europa League tie with Astra Giurgiu later that month, ruling him out of the start of the Premier League season.

The Hammers have had a poor start to the Premier League campaign, picking up just four points from their opening seven fixtures heading into the international break.

But Carroll is determined to regain full fitness as soon as possible in order to help Slaven Bilic’s men get their season back on track.

(Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images)

“My recovery is going well. I am working hard in the gym and everything is going well. Hopefully soon I will be back in action,” he said.

“I can’t wait to play my first league game at the new stadium. I scored two goals against Juventus and would love to score a lot more there.

“It has been fantastic for us moving into the new stadium and it is great for the club. I know there have been a lot of discussions about the move, but the players love it.

“The results have not been going our way and we have not been performing but I cannot wait to get back out there.”

And despite West Ham’s slow start to the season, Carroll insists the camaraderie among the players has never faltered.

“We have got a great group of lads and the dressing room is still trying to stay positive,” he added.

“We have had meetings about the performances which have not been the best.
“But the lads are great and everyone is still positive around the training ground.

“We just need to get out of this position and I am sure things will turn around.”