Andy Carroll makes no bones about the fact that he’s been to hell and back with the latest of his injury lay-offs.
The club’s record signing made a fleeting and near fairy story re-appearance at the end of the Villa match bringing one of the saves of the season from Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
And afterwards he said: “It’s been a nightmare. It’s been a killer to be honest, coming back from the end of last season and in the first week of training I find out I need surgery.
“It’s been disappointing and devastating and now I’ve just got to forget about everything that’s been going on for the last few months.”
“The medical staff have been a great help. I’ve been working with them as a team and individually. We’ve worked outside of the club as well and they’ve been coming to my house.
“It’s a credit to them to get me back fit so quickly given the injury and the surgery that I had. They’ve got me back as quick as possible and I’m happy with my recovery.”
On his plans during the international break Carroll said: “It’s a chance for me with no games to train hard – and harder than I have been ahead of the games coming up in a couple of weeks’ time. Hopefully I’ll have a game behind closed doors so I can get my fitness up in that as well.”