Andy Carroll to return sooner than expected?

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll could reportedly return from injury sooner than originally anticipated.

The Hammers forward damaged his ankle ligaments in the summer and was expected to be out until the end of November.

However, according to The Mirror, the former Liverpool frontman has started running again and could be back in action earlier than the four months that had initially been predicted.

Carroll is said to be confident of regaining full fitness, although the club are approaching the issue with caution after their £16m striker missed a large portion of last season with a heel problem.

Carroll moved to West Ham on loan in 2012, before it was made permanent a year later.