Sam Allardyce is refusing to make any predictions on when Andy Carroll will be fit!
The striker has a twisted ankle and Claretandhugh revealed last night from a source that the club would know more within seven days on the extent of the problem.
However, it is entirely unrelated to the plantar fascia problem which plagued him all last summer and most of the winter.
He now faces a race against time to be fit for the first game of the season against Spurs on August 16 and may even be involved in a trip to the US to see specialists.
Allardyce said: ““We just have to keep the treatment going and see where he goes.
“It’s a worry. It is something we don’t want as he’s been injured quite considerably since he’s been here.
“We have to face it. We’ve done everything we can and something has occurred again.
“We just have to get on with it, treat it as quick as we can and get him back as quick as we can.”
Big Sam’s diagnosis contrasts with the club’s who claim he has a “twisted ankle” although his worries clearly spring from Carroll’s recent medical record.
But Carroll isn’t the only injury worry as new-boy Cheikhou Kouyate fell victim to a shin-high, studs-up challenge by Wellington’s Louis Fenton leaving Eden Park on crutches.
Then James Tomkins, who was on as a late sub, limped off with a groin problem.
Allardyce added: “It was a bit of an over-physical game in the first half. I was a bit disappointed at some of the tackles which went in.
“My biggest worry was the referee allowing the tackle on Cheikhou go free.He may be out for an awful, awful long time.
“The referee should have done more in that situation because he let the game get out of hand for a while.
“Hopefully it is only Cheikhou who has a real problem and nobody else.”
