After making a quick recovery from injury, 22-year-old Andy Carroll could be in the lineup to make his first appearance for Liverpool against West Ham this weekend.
Rumors had been circulating that Carroll would miss a large chunk of this season due to a thigh injury that was already ongoing when the transfer from Newcastle United was made for £35 million ($56.6 million) in January, ESPN.com reports.
The striker participated in some non-contact training drills with his new club Monday, and there was a spark of hope that fans could seem him on the field for the trip to Upton Park.
Reds manager Kenny Dalglish has said numerous times that he is confident Carroll will come through for the club.
"The fans will really relate to him once he gets fit and starts to play for us," Dalglish said prior to the weekend. "Going to Prague was just so he could continue his rehabilitation. We just wanted to get Andy in amongst the boys so he will recognise a couple of faces."
If Carroll does not play in the game against West Ham, the following weekend's matchup against Manchester United will likely see the striker playing in front of the Anfield crowd.
