OPINION
The dream return to action is on the cards for West Ham attacker Andy Carroll when he possibly faces Newcastle United on Saturday but Federico Fernandez has to be ready for him.
Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini shared that the 29-year-old forward could make the squad list for the trip to face the Magpies after he named him on the bench to face Manchester City last weekend.
“Well, Andy is maybe one step forward than Wilshere because he played 45 minutes in the friendly game that we had against Brentford,” said the West Ham manager on Thursday, as quoted by Football.London.
“Last game he was on the bench, he has worked without any problems this week, same as Jack.
“Maybe they will be in the squad list for tomorrow.”
Carroll hasn’t played for the Hammers all season due to injury, with his last appearance for the senior side coming in May against Manchester United.
However following Pellegrini’s update, it seems the attacker could easily feature against the Magpies after a solid week of training and that means the dream return is on the cards.
Carroll was previously a hero at St James Park as the forward rose through the club’s youth system to establish himself as the side’s main attacker.
The 29-year-old scored 33 times in 90 appearances for the Magpies’ first-team and that period of his career is still arguably the best part of his football journey so far.
Therefore it would be dream scenario if Carroll continue having fond memories of St James Park by returning to action with the Hammers after a long-spell out and succeeding against his former club.
However Rafa Benitez can not let this scenario develop as Saturday’s match with the Hammers should be perceived as winnable and he must look to Fernandez to stop any possible fairy tale return for Carroll if one starts to develop.
The centre-back has been a surprise package for the Magpies this season as he has shone brighter than expected in the nine league appearances he has made for the club.
Given his excellent defending this season and physical stature, he seems like the player most likely to be able to turn Carroll’s possible dream into a living nightmare by ensuring he doesn’t get a sniff at an opportunity if he enters the field of play.
This scenario must be ensured by Fernandez and all he simply has to do is be ready to face a forward like Carroll, who using his stature to his advantage, to stop any possible dream return by making it a living nightmare.
