HANDY , ANDY!
TODAY, KICK-OFF 2PM Misfiring frontline leaves Toon no choice but to give injury-plagued Carroll a new deal... and he said yes
NEWCASTLE v SHEFF UTD
The injury-plagued striker is ready to extend his stay after an appearance-related contract was finalised.
The 31-year-old has failed to find the net this season – spending most of it on the sidelines as he battled for fitness.
He has made just four starts and nine appearances from the bench.
Toon chief Steve Bruce cut a frustrated figure as Carroll successfully defeated one setback, only to be hit by another.
The 6ft 4in attacker has been plagued by ankle issues during his career.
Unfortunately for player, boss and club, Carroll also got a hip problem, which, despite numerous attempts, kept him off the pitch.
With £35million signing Joelinton struggling to convince, Bruce was desperately in need of an alternative, but Carroll was not available for any significant length of time.
Such issues meant the ex-england international was widely expected to be leaving ahead of the long-awaited takeover by the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia.
But, with contract issues outstanding, the club had to be seen to act and offered the forward one final chance to make an impact on a second coming at his hometown club.
With the delay in giving the green light to the Saudis running at three months – sources close to Amanda Staveley’s consortium remain sure the deal will go through – the matter could wait no longer.
With points still needed to lift Newcastle to safety, Bruce did not want an upset Carroll stalking the corridors and is well aware that, if he can regain his fitness, the forward remains capable of finding the net.
However, he will not be costing the club a huge weekly outlay. His basic pay is well below the norm and will increase only if he plays regularly.
There has also been positive movement this week with respect to the offers made to midfielder Matty Longstaff and to defender Javier Manquillo.
Meanwhile, boss Bruce has vowed to stay on as boss.
He insists he deserves to build a squad after just 11 months in charge.
Bruce said: “The reason I took the job is I am a Newcastle fan and always will be.
“My job is to try to take the club forward.
“If there is going to be a takeover, if there is something happening that will help the club, and I can help in any way, shape or form, I’d love to stay in charge. It’s for others to decide.
“I’ve said from the day that I walked in the door, whatever is best for the club is good by me.”