"I was edging to get on a bit earlier, but the gaffer saved me for the last five minutes. I had a great chance and the keeper pulled off a great save."
Carroll's return came after two successful behind-closed-doors appearances at Chadwell Heath. The striker has naturally been 'champing at the bit' to make his first-team return, but he knows the medical staff were right to err on the cautious side.
"I had to make sure it was 100% before I started doing anything," he confirmed. "I had a couple of weeks after the surgery where I could not do anything, even go to the gym.
"With me being active, that was more annoying than anything. Getting back in the gym, working hard, training and getting on the training pitch again is a great feeling, but getting out on the pitch again at Upton Park is even better."
Andy Carroll came within a whisker of scoring a late winner
While Carroll has been working his way back to fitness, he has been impressed by the form shown by his team-mates. Now, he is ready to challenge Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia for a starting place.
"We have been playing really well and winning games we probably did not expect to. The crosses which have been coming in from out wide have been fantastic and the lads have been getting on the end of them.
"We have a quality squad this year and it shows in the games."
Carroll now has two weeks to prepare for West Ham's next game at Everton, before the Hammers welcome the club where he began his career to the Boleyn Ground.
Newcastle United come to east London on 29 November and the Gateshead-born player would love nothing more than to feature against the Magpies.
"I am back now with my first bit of football, so from now going forward I am going to be champing at the bit. We have got a two-week break now, so I will be champing at the bit after that!"