The Hammers forward is widely rumoured to have played his last game for the Premier League club.
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll remains a top class player despite his injury problems, according to ex-Hammers forward Marlon Harewood.
Carroll joined the Premier League side on a permanent £15million deal from Liverpool in the summer of 2013, having spent the previous season on loan with the East London outfit.
The 30-year-old has gone on to score 34 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers but his time at the club has been blighted with injuries.
Indeed, multiple reports including from the likes of Sky Sports News and the Daily Mail have suggested that Carroll’s West Ham career is as good as over.
An ankle operation means that Carroll is now virtually certain to miss the remainder of the campaign, and with his contract up in the summer, West Ham reportedly have no intention of keeping him on (Daily Mail).
Harewood, who as well as turning out for West Ham between 2003 and 2007, also played alongside Carroll at Newcastle United, admits his ex-teammate has had “rotten luck” with injuries and getting him fit again is “key”.
Nonetheless, the 39-year-old hopes that the 6ft 3in marksman can bounce back and deliver a good year to silence his critics, though he did not elaborate in terms of which club this comeback would take place.
“Andy can give any defender problems, and I loved playing with him and feeding off him,” Harewood told Sky Sports News. “We formed a really good partnership. He’s since had rotten luck with injuries but Andy is still a top-class player.
“He is one of the best headers of a ball in the Premier League but the key is getting him fit and back on the pitch. The setbacks must be really hard for him but that’s football. I hope he bounces back and has a really good year to silence some of his critics.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
