Daily WHUFC News - 26th February 2014

AC ready to return
WHUFC.com
Andy Carroll is desperate to return to West Ham United's starting XI for
Saturday's trip to Everton
25.02.2014

Andy Carroll knows he faces a battle to win his starting place back
following West Ham United's outstanding recent run. The Hammers have won
four straight Barclays Premier League matches, scoring nine goals and
conceding just one - despite having Carroll available for just 70 minutes of
that run due to the striker's sending-off against Swansea City on 1
February. The England international's replacement, Carlton Cole, has led the
line well, netting the go-ahead goal in Saturday's 3-1 home win over
Southampton, while Kevin Nolan has scored five goals in his last four
appearances. Carroll returns from suspension for Saturday's trip to Everton,
but the No9 knows he will not automatically return to Sam Allardyce's
starting XI at Goodison Park. "Coley is on fire and has scored six goals,
while Kev has got seven, so I've just got to work hard and hope the Gaffer
sees fit to pick me," said Carroll, who was at the Boleyn Ground to cheer on
his team-mates to victory over Southampton on Saturday. "It's unbelievable,
where we have come from to where we are now. All the lads are buzzing in the
dressing room and when I went in there after the game they were all laughing
and messing about. It's great and I'm over the moon with how things are
going."

Having only returned from a long-term foot injury in January, Carroll has
kept himself fit during his enforced absence, most notably during an
extended warm-weather training visit to Dubai. The forward spent four days
with his team-mates before remaining at the Dubai Sports City for a further
four days to work one-on-one with the Club's rehabilitation coach Eduardo
Parra Garcia. "It was a lot of hard work at the beginning of the week, then
the rest of the lads left and it was one-on-one training with Eduardo, which
was really good. Having the sun on my back was even better. It's been hard
for me all season. I hadn't really done much training, so wherever I can
train is great, but it was even better to do it in the sun. "It's obviously
great to get away from the training ground when we get the chance. We're out
of the FA Cup and the lads were able to do the same training we do here, but
in Dubai. It gives everyone a change of scenery.
"The lads came back and won again against Southampton, which was great."

Carroll spent 18 months on Merseyside with Liverpool prior to joining West
Ham on loan in August 2013. During his time with the Reds, he scored a late
winner in their FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton at Wembley in April
2012. Having tasted one memorable win over the Toffees, Carroll is now
hoping to do again this weekend. First, he knows he has to force his way
back into Big Sam's starting XI. "We are playing well and are scoring goals
now, so I don't see why we can't go up there and get three points. I've just
got to work hard in training, because that's all I can do. At the end of the
day, the manager picks the team. "The sending-off has happened and I was
annoyed at the time with missing games, which was not what I wanted after
the season that I've had, but I'm over it now. I just need to focus on
playing the games now and getting back in the team and playing games."

While Carroll is eager to get his West Ham place back first and foremost, he
is also desperate to regain his spot in Roy Hodgson's England squad. The
striker has not played for his country since October 2012, but the
25-year-old is being widely tipped to make a return to Hodgson's selection
for the friendly international with Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday 5 March.
It is an opportunity he would relish. "I've definitely not given up on the
England squad and I never will do."

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Carlton Cole says West Ham are not safe yet from threat of relegation
Last Updated: 25/02/14 3:32pm
SSN

Carlton Cole has admitted that West Ham United still have a lot of work to
do to secure their Premier League survival, but believes it is important to
look up rather than down. The Hammers were in deep trouble just a few weeks
ago but a run of four straight wins has catapulted them into the top half of
the table.
However, just seven points still separate Sam Allardyce's men from the
bottom three and Cole insists there is no chance of thinking safety is
already guaranteed. The striker is staying focused on Saturday's clash with
Everton and hopes West Ham can continue to climb the standings. "We're not
safe yet, we just need to keep winning games," Cole told the club's official
website. "We are looking upwards. At the start of the season, we were
looking up too and it is good to do that rather than looking over your
shoulder, because that can lead to mistakes. "We now have to look towards
Everton, which will be a hard game.
"They are a good footballing team so we just need to nullify their attacking
and try and get a goal, because the form we are in at the moment, we can
notch against anyone."

Cole netted his sixth goal of the season in the 3-1 victory over Southampton
and is delighted with his form, having returned to the club on an 18-month
deal last year. "I didn't have a pre-season, but I have been playing and
that is what I need to do," he said. "Training has been intense. There is a
lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep me fit. I feel wanted
because I got re-signed. "When you are not feeling wanted, it is always hard
to take, but when you feel wanted it is a big difference to your game and
your attitude."

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Andy Carroll targets West Ham and England recalls
Last Updated: 25/02/14 3:25pm
SSN

Andy Carroll is focused on earning his place back in the West Ham team and
fighting for an England recall following a three-match suspension. The
25-year-old was finding his form after a frustrating foot injury lay-off
when he was sent off against Swansea on February 1, and subsequently
received a three-game ban.
In Carroll's absence, Sam Allardyce's side have won three successive matches
to extend an unbeaten run to five games, and in the process have pulled
clear of the relegation zone and up to 10th place. Carroll will be available
again for West Ham's trip to Everton on Saturday, but the striker is taking
nothing for granted.
"The sending-off has happened and I was annoyed at the time with missing
games, which was not what I wanted after the season that I've had, but I'm
over it now," Carroll said on the club's official website. "I just need to
focus on playing the games now and getting back in the team and playing
games. "I have just got to work hard in training, because that is all I can
do. At the end of the day, the manager picks the team."

Recall

Carroll last featured for England in the 5-0 World Cup qualifying win over
San Marino at Wembley in October 2012. However, the 6ft 3in former Newcastle
and Liverpool frontman is determined to become part of Roy Hodgson's plans
for Brazil this summer, having been tipped for a recall to the international
squad in next week's friendly against Denmark. "I have definitely not given
up on the England squad and I never will do," he said.

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