Conflicting reports have emerged over the status of West Ham striker Andy Carroll.
Whilst a number of sources maintain that the striker, who is yet to feature this season will make his long-awaited return against Southampton it is claimed by others that Carroll has instead suffered a setback in his rehabilitation.And whilst it should be noted that such reports remain unsubstantiated at present, it is added that the England international is set to undergo tests to determine the extent of the damage.
Official news on Carroll's return has been limited, at best in recent days. Sam Allardyce, speaking in his Monday update on the Club's website today made no reference to the status of his injured players nor Carroll himself.
Signed from Liverpool in the summer for a Club-record £15million, Carroll last featured for West Ham on the final day of the 2012/13 season. Shortly after it was announced that he had acquired a mystery heel injury that would keep him out of action for the entire pre-season.
Sam Allardyce, speaking at the beginning of August was the first to moot a possible return against the Saints. "Andy is making good progress and doing some running," he said.
"We'll look at things over the next week but, considering where he is in his preparation, I would've thought that realistically we’re looking at the match following the international break, which is Southampton away on 15th September."
Yet when Carroll spoke to whufc.com on 3rd August - just two weeks before the start of the Premier League season - the West Ham number nine insisted that his target was the Cardiff season opener. "It's been tough but I've been working hard to be back for the beginning of the season," he said.
More than five weeks later, supporters are still none the wiser as to what continues to keep the Club's only first-class striker sidelined - or when he will return.
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