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Slaven Bilic lifts lid on whether Andy Carroll could make Newcastle return for crunch clash

West Ham United's English striker Andy Carroll (R) gestures as he speaks with West Ham United's Croatian manager Slaven Bilic during the English Pr...
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West Ham United travel to Newcastle United on Saturday with both sides yet to earn a point, so something has to give.

West Ham United's Croatian manager Slaven Bilic looks on before the English Premier League football match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton,...

The Hammers have lost both their opening games, 4-0 to Manchester United and 3-2 to Southampton while Newcastle have been beaten 2-0 and 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur and Huddersfield respectively.

Slaven Bilic is already under pressure according to The Mirror with the likes of Laurent Blanc and Thomas Tuchel reportedly being lined up to replace him.

Meanwhile Rafa Benitez, who has himself been linked with the Hammers hot seat, has publicly stated his unhappiness with the recruitment and transfer budget at St James’ Park this summer.

Rafael Benitez, the Newcastle United manager looks on during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United at John Smith's Stadium on August 20, 2017 in...

The two teams clash on Saturday where something will have to give in what promises to be one of the most intriguing matches of the new season so far.

And to spice things up further still, former Magpies star and the perennially injured Andy Carroll – who has been linked with a return to his boyhood club – could well feature after nearly six months out with his latest injury.

That’s according to Bilic who revealed the big striker is in contention for the Newcastle clash when speaking in his press conference for the midweek Carabao Cup game against Cheltenham.

“He’s training again, this is his second week,” Bilic said in the press conference.

Andy Carroll thanks the fans during a lap of honor after the Premier League match between West Ham United and Liverpool at London Stadium on May 14, 2017 in Stratford, England.

“Definitely (he will be available) after the international break, but there is a big question regarding the Newcastle game, is it too soon?

“He wants (to play) of course, but I told him ‘We’re going to see’. We have a few more days and we’re going to decide on Friday.”

Bilic also played down talk of the striker returning to Newcastle in the transfer window saying the speculation is just that, insisting he is only being linked because the two clubs are facing each other as he is nearing his latest comeback.