West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini expects a warm welcome back for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.

West Ham released Carroll in the summer after he featured in just 12 top-flight games last term.

Speaking of the towering centre-forward, Pellegrini said: "I hope he will be fit as he, like Winston Reid, is a player who has had many injuries, long injuries and they deserve to have a normal career.

"If he is on the bench, it will be one more difficult player that Newcastle will have. If not, they will have another one.

"I think the fans will give him a good welcome. For different reasons, Andy couldn't stay here.

"When you defend the shirt the fans applaud you so often, he will deserve the same respect."