West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has said that he is hopeful of keeping his spot in the team's starting XI after making his return from a knee injury.
The 26-year-old made his first appearance since February in the Hammers' 2-1 defeat to Leicester City in the Capital One Cup last night.
The result did not go the team's way, but Carroll was pleased to get some time on the pitch following his lengthy injury woe.
"Obviously we're disappointed with the result, but to get 60 minutes under my belt was good," Carroll told the club's official website.
"I felt good before I went out there. I've been training well and trying to get as fit as I can. I've been raring to start and was itching to get on last week as well, so it was pleasing to start at Leicester.
"I've been looking forward since the start of the season to be back and now I am. That's what I've wanted and what I've worked hard for. So now I'm trying to get in the starting XI and stay there."
In the Premier League, West Ham are third in the table after six games following four wins, three of which came against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, and two defeats.
Danielle Joynson
