As our recent Tweet has revealed, Andy Carroll’s availability for the Gameweek 23 remains a doubt, with Alan Pardew granting the striker a break in the sun to help him recuperate for the derby match with Sunderland.
Carroll has been sent to Dubai to rest and he is not set to return to a chillier climes until Wednesday with his fitness is set to be assessed the following day. Carroll’s Fantasy owners remain in the dark on his chances of making the Sunderland clash then but Alan Pardew did at least offer us this on the situation…
“It’s an injury that’s difficult to judge because it’s just a small tear in his thigh, but it’s a big muscle. Striking balls is a big problem. He’s walking and getting around feeling no problem but it’s when he starts kicking it will cause him a problem. We won’t know his chances until next Thursday.”
Carroll has already suffered an Fantasy Premier League price drop to 6.4 following his absence over the past two Gameweeks; his ownership has fallen from 54% to 47% in that time. With the Gameweek 22 wildcard now active, his sales seem set to continue and only confirmation of his availability for the clash with the Black Cats will likely stem that tide.
Personally, I’m holding tight. Like many of his Fantasy owners, I would suffer a heavy loss of funds if I sold Carroll on and, given his consistency and Newcastle’s mini-revival under Pardew, he may even present a decent differential on his return. That stance depends greatly on Thursday’s assessment however; if the prognosis suggests a prolonged absence, Carroll will surely suffer accelerated sales as wildcards are put to use before the Gameweek 27 deadline.
