Father-to-be Andy Carroll is working hard on his fitness and is preparing to welcome a new son and a new manager

West Ham United striker Andy Carroll is relishing the chance to play under new manager Slaven Bilic and says he is excited by the style of play that the Croatian will bring to the Boleyn Ground.



Carroll has been working hard throughout the summer to regain full fitness following a knee injury he suffered back in February, and is on course to return to action in the pre-season.



The former Newcastle United and Liverpool forward was thrilled to hear the news that Bilic was appointed as the new manager this week and hopes he can play a major part in the final season at the Boleyn Ground.



Carroll said: “I think it has been a great appointment. I have spoken to the lads and everyone seems to be happy with it. He plays a lot of attacking football and I have seen the teams he has been coaching and they love to go out and attack.



“That is a great feeling for me and I cannot wait to get started.”

He plays a lot of attacking football and I have seen the teams he has been coaching and they love to go out and attack

The 26-year-old has worked under a variety of managers during his career, including Kevin Keegan, Chris Hughton, Brendan Rodgers and Sam Allardyce, and is now looking forward to learning the methods employed by the former Croatia and Besiktas boss.



“It is interesting to see how he is on the touchline,” Carroll continued. “Different managers have got different styles and this will be very different to what we have had in the past, but it will be very interesting and I cannot wait to get started.”



Away from football, there is the impending patter of tiny feet to look forward to for the No9, as Carroll is eagerly awaiting the birth of his first child, a son, with fiancee Billi Mucklow.



The front man says he cannot wait to become a father again and hopes this is the start of a memorable few months, on and off the pitch.



Carroll added: “The baby is due on Monday and these are exciting times. We cannot wait and it is very exciting. Everything has been sorted out and we cannot wait.



“I am a dad already but this is my first (with Billi) and it will be great for us down here to start a family. These are really exciting times at the moment and everything is going well.”

