Wednesday 24 September 2014 11:09, UK
Andy Carroll expects to be back in full training at West Ham early next month but says there is "no target" for his comeback.
The 25-year-old joined the Hammers from Liverpool on a permanent contract in the summer of 2013 for a club-record transfer fee of £15million.
Since then, Carroll has endured a frustrating time at the Boleyn Ground due to various injuries.
He underwent ankle ligament surgery after suffering a serious setback in pre-season training, having missed the first half of last season with a foot injury.
But Carroll is now running again and expects to take part in full training sessions again early in October.
I've not had a problem since I've been back running. There's no target, but I'm ready when I'm ready.
"I haven't had a problem with my ankle or anything," Carroll told The Guardian. "In the next couple of weeks, I should be joining in with the lads.
"I've got to take it slowly - obviously I've had a few niggles and problems in the past. I don't want them to carry on, so I've got to take it one step at a time.
"That’s why it's going so well and I'm not rushing anything. I've not had a problem since I've been back running. There's no target, but I'm ready when I'm ready. The physio says there is no target."
The England international insists that he does not feel that he has let West Ham down and is determined to make up for lost time.
"I don't really care what people say to be honest," he added. "I know myself and know I've had problems. I'm not hiding away from that. Hopefully this is the last one and I get it out of the way. I just want to get back playing football.
"They have put a lot of faith in me, paying a lot of money. I don't feel I've let them down because obviously it's an injury that I couldn't have helped. I've done it in training and in a game.
"It's an injury that I don't want and obviously no one at the club wants. I do obviously want to be back out there, repaying the faith they put in me."
