- Andy Carroll is feeling sharp and ready to feel benefits of a full pre-season
- Striker scored nine Premier League goals in 13 starts last season
- England international cannot wait for first game in London Stadium in UEFA Europa League
Carroll scored an impressive nine goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season, putting an early-season injury behind him to feature in his highest total of top flight appearances since the 2011/12 campaign.
Now, with the prospect of a full pre-season ahead of him, the 27-year-old striker is focused on preparing for what he hopes will be a huge year for himself and his teammates.
“I can’t wait [for the start of the season],” he told whufc.com. "It’s been a long time since I had a pre-season, so I’m really looking forward to starting the new season and before that the Europa League game that’s coming up.
“I felt strong at the end of last season. I was injured for a bit at the start, but I came back and felt good. I scored some goals, was involved in important games and just want to carry that on this year.
“I’m feeling good. Coming out to Austria and getting myself fit is important. I might miss a couple of games in pre-season just to keep myself fresh and not rush into things, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The Hammers are currently on a ten-day training camp in Austria, with the majority of the first-team squad back together.
Carroll has been impressed with the Club’s early transfer activity too, and is looking forward to linking up with his new colleagues on the pitch.
“We’ve got a fantastic team,” he continued. “We played really well last season and were unlucky not to finish higher and go further in the cups than we did.
“It was great to come into such a strong squad and hopefully we can move on from that and get even better.
“It’s always important to get new players in each season and freshen it up. Everyone has to fight for places again and I’m sure the lads are looking forward to it just as much as I am.
"In the first game against Seattle, I got a few crosses from Sofiane Feghouli. It was a great ball from him [for my goal] against the RailHawks and I just had to put it in.
“We can’t wait for that first game in the new Stadium. It’s going to be massive and a fantastic game for us, the fans and everyone. It’ll be a tough one, but all the lads are looking forward to it.”
Carroll has been impressed with the Club’s early transfer activity too, and is looking forward to linking up with his new colleagues on the pitch.
“We’ve got a fantastic team,” he continued. “We played really well last season and were unlucky not to finish higher and go further in the cups than we did.
“It was great to come into such a strong squad and hopefully we can move on from that and get even better.
“It’s always important to get new players in each season and freshen it up. Everyone has to fight for places again and I’m sure the lads are looking forward to it just as much as I am.
"In the first game against Seattle, I got a few crosses from Sofiane Feghouli. It was a great ball from him [for my goal] against the RailHawks and I just had to put it in.
“We can’t wait for that first game in the new Stadium. It’s going to be massive and a fantastic game for us, the fans and everyone. It’ll be a tough one, but all the lads are looking forward to it.”