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“He doesn’t like being on the bench” – Steve Bruce on Andy Carroll’s determination to start at West Brom

Andy Carroll is pushing for a starting place again at West Brom after scoring a dramatic equaliser, as they came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 against Huddersfield Town on Friday.

Danny Ward scored twice to send Huddersfield into a two-goal lead heading into the final 15 minutes. Karlan Grant reduced the deficit from the spot before Carroll’s header levelled the scoring as the Baggies scored twice in quick succession.

Carroll was an immediate threat from the bench with his strength and aerial presence but West Brom boss Steve Bruce insists the forward isn’t satisfied with sitting on the bench.

“He doesn’t like being on the bench,” Bruce joked. “I can tell you that which I understand but I needed the mobility of the other two strikers and they did well too.

“It’s good to see him fit and keeping healthy and that’s his third goal now as he scored a couple at Reading. You’ve got to put the ball in the box to him, that’s the key to it, and we did.”

Carroll is currently on a short-term contract at West Brom with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

He failed to score in his first six starts for the Baggies after scoring twice earlier in the season at Reading.

After breaking his duck for West Brom, Bruce says he will address his future when the end of the season comes.

West Brom climbed into 12th place but are still seven points adrift of the Championship play-offs. Despite two Sam Johnstone mistakes gifting Danny Ward with a brace, Bruce was encouraged by the spirit showed by his side to comeback.

“At least there was a bit of spirit and determination and fight,” Bruce says.

“They didn’t give up, which I thought we did too easily against Swansea a few weeks ago, but we were up against it.

“We gifted them two goals but apart from that I didn’t think there was too much in it. So to get back the way we did, where we nearly nicked it, ended up in one of those crazy games that you often see in the Championship.”

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