Slaven Bilic pays tribute to Andy Carroll ahead of West Ham striker's return
Friday 2 December 2016 15:39, UK
Slaven Bilic is pleased to have Andy Carroll back in his West Ham squad to face Arsenal as he feels the oft-injured striker "offers something special."
Carroll's most recent career highlight came in April and it was the Gunners on the receiving end as the England international scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw in one of the last games played at Upton Park.
He continued as a regular member of Bilic's side for the remainder of last season but his injury problems have struck again in 2016-17, with Carroll suffering a knee injury at the end of August in his most recent appearance in the Europa League against Domzale.
Surgery has kept him sidelined for three-and-a-half months but he is now ready to return, coming back at a time when West Ham are in need of a win in the Premier League, something they have not managed since October 22.
And Bilic is pinning his hopes on Carroll hitting the ground running, as well as avoiding another lengthy absence in a career that has, thus far, proved stop-start.
Bilic said: "He's a player that offers something special, he is one of the reasons why we were so prolific last season in front of goal, why we were so versatile, so dangerous, why we scored so many goals and why we finished so high.
"He played a great game against Arsenal where we didn't start well, we were two down and didn't play good.
"It was basically him who brought us back in that game before half-time with two goals, and he went on to score a hat-trick. If you ask me what he's capable of, that's one of the greatest examples.
"You can simply be very dangerous in the box if he's playing there because he occupies basically the whole box.
"From anywhere in the box when you put a cross in, a half-decent one, he makes it a good ball and the defences have to take care of him. No centre-back feels comfortable when he's close to the goal and the ball is in the air."
The game will be Carroll's first in the Premier League at the London Stadium, and Bilic hopes for an exciting - as well as safe - atmosphere in such a high-profile fixture.
Their move to the former Olympic Stadium has been hit with trouble, most notably at the EFL Cup clash with Chelsea, although vice-chairman Karren Brady said on Thursday said there had to be some "perspective" on what she described as "teething problems."
And Bilic added: "We feel their support and their presence and I just want them to be behind us like they were against Chelsea, Sunderland, Stoke, and without causing any problems or trouble.
"I'm sure that tomorrow's going to be a very sporting atmosphere."
Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!
