Andy Carroll hopeful of being fit for Hammers' start at St Mary's

Andy Carroll

West Ham striker Andy Carroll is hopeful of being fit for the start of the season as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since February, when he injured a knee in the Premier League draw at Southampton.

Carroll has stayed behind at the club's training ground to work on his recovery, with most of his team-mates away on their summer holidays.

He has recently resumed jogging and hopes to be back out on the training pitch kicking a ball in the near future.

He said: "The injury is going well and I have pretty much been in every day working on it and strengthening the injury. I started jogging and it is all getting better.

"I have been in the gym a long time now and it is nice to be outside going for a jog and it felt great afterwards. Hopefully I can be back out there. I want to step it up again and start kicking a ball but I am glad to be outside and moving again."

West Ham start their Europa League campaign on July 2, with the Premier League season starting on August 8.

Carroll made only 14 league appearances in the 2014-15 season, scoring five goals; three against Swansea City and one each against Hull City and Leicester City.