Here comes the cavalry! United duo fit for Gulls clash
GEORDIE STRIKER COULD MAKE ST JAMES’ PARK BOW IN CRUNCH CLASH AGAINST SEAGULLS
ANDY Carroll’s name was one of the first on Steve Bruce’s transfer shortlist when he took over as boss in July.
The former Liverpool man was working around the clock at West Ham’s training ground despite being handed a free transfer by the Hammers at the end of last season.
He last kicked a ball in February, in a narrow 1-0 loss at Manchester City, and the big striker has been praying ever since to simply get back on to the field.
Pulling on a black and white shirt was perhaps beyond his wildest dreams.
Against Brighton tonight it is a dream which could even be realised and Bruce knows it is the type of scenario which could lift the entire stadium.
Bruce told the Chronicle: “Listen, he is the local lad who was desperate to come back.
“He has nothing to prove to anybody has he?
“We are just delighted he has himself in this position and has worked extremely hard.
“It would lift the whole atmosphere if he Bruce checked Carroll’s fitness came off the bench. status in July when appointed “It is great to see and the prospect of signing the him. man who has racked up more “I am absolutely than £50million of transfer fees on a freebie quickly turned into a delighted and reality. being selfish Bruce explained: “It was in one for me too, of the initial conversations we and the staff. had.
“It is good to “It was like: ‘What is out there have him in terms of Bosman transfers?’ around him “The stand-out one was Andy, again. Let’s hope so it was then: ‘How is his ankle?’ he stays well.” “Very quickly Lee Charnley got
It would lift the whole atmosphere if he came off the bench. It is great to see him. Let’s hope he stays well Steve Bruce
in touch with him and said there was a possibility we could sign him again.
“In all of it, though, it was Andy’s desire to come back here.
“It was something he wanted to do.”
Bruce was hoping to sign Carroll simply to boost his options in attack this season but, as TV crews and journalists flocked to St James’ Park on deadline day, he knew it was a much bigger deal than he first anticipated.
Bruce added: “On deadline day I realised how big it was.
“Despite all of the big-money moves, he was the headline story on deadline day.
“It was unbelievable really. I hope he can have that affect on everybody.
“That positivity is creeping into everybody now and Andy can only add to it.”
Carroll left Newcastle during the Alan Pardew era and has since insisted he never really wanted to leave the club.
So can the Brighton game be the first step of a healthy road to full recovery?
Bruce said: “With Andy it is about staying well.
“Mentally he has been very, very strong because I am sure he has had to be.
“He has been in a dark place.
“When you have an operation and it is not a success, then you have to operate again, it becomes mentally tough.
“However, he has certainly worked extremely hard to get himself up and at it.”