Pulis on threat of Irons front man
The West Brom boss holds a healthy respect both for the striker and the Hammers manager Slaven Bilic who has refused to bow to criticism of the striker.
Carroll has a fifty/fifty chance of making the line up tomorrow but the odds are obviously high of him making an appearance at some stage.
And such is his respect for Bilic the West Brom boss admitted: “He has been phenominally successful and it is a long haul for a new manager at a club, however well he knows it, as Slaven does West Ham
Of Carroll Pulis declares: “The game has evolved and it goes in circles but Carroll’s a good player whatever your ideas are.
“I’m not sure if that sort of player is dying out but he is still a useful acquisition. If you play him the right way, he’ll definitely get goals.
“Whether you start with him or bring him on, he can be effective — I really do rate him.”
Bilic is under pressure to play Diafra Sakho in a central role and leave Carroll on the bench but against a well organised and strong tackling defence may defy expectations by choosing to go with the big man’s aerial power.
He has a big call to make after gleaning just one point from three games.