CARRY ON ANDY
Bruce: I want him to be this physical.. there’s always contact when players jump up high (and Steve knows all about getting in where it hurts)
ANDY CARROLL has been told to keep “bashing around” defenders – as Steve Bruce backed his sharp-elbowed striker.
The Newcastle star walked a fine line in the 2-0 win at West Ham on Saturday, adding “physicality” to the Geordies, but also earning a booking and sparking a debate over his aerial challenges.
Carroll has lost 5kg in bodyweight, not missed training for months, and his fight back to fitness has handed Bruce a new weapon to unleash in selected games.
He has been as vital defending his own penalty box as attacking the opposition, and could forge a strong partnership with new signing Callum Wilson.
Referees reviewing the footage from last weekend’s games are likely to discuss Carroll’s high arm challenges as part of their weekly training. But ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup second-round tie
GIVE THEM EL! Carroll knows how to get stuck in... just like his boss, Bruce, did at Man United (circle) with Blackburn, Bruce said: “Unfortunately, as my face will tell you, if you are going to head it, you are going to get bashed around a bit. It is normal and will happen as long as heading the ball is in the rules. We need Andy’s physicality. It is what he is all about and one of the reasons he is in the team.
“Andy did it well. With no fans, we hear every bit of contact, every moan and groan a player makes. Andy was terrific. We want to see the Andy Carroll of old. Fit, well, a presence. When he plays like that, we all know how good he is. When you are jumping for a ball, your arms go up. It is normal.”
Bruce will hand new-boy Ryan Fraser ( left) his debut and said: “Ryan will add pace, power and can be electrifying. Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Matt Ritchie and Sean Longstaff will also play and were sat behind me on the bench on Saturday.
“We will take it seriously, but the competition (for places) this year is intense. I will make changes, but we will still try to get through.”
Yoshi Muto is joining Eibar in Spain on a season-long loan and Bruce added: “We have 28 players but I can only name 22 in three weeks. A footballer not involved in the 22 is a dark place to be.”