Carroll singing after Longy agrees a deal
Striker puts in the Andy work
ANDY Carroll is pleased to see Matty Longstaff finally commit to a new deal at Newcastle United - and admits he had been trying to persuade the youngster to sign.
Longstaff’s contract expired at the start of the month and after months of negotiations in which other clubs were linked to the North Shieldsborn midfielder, a new two-yeardeal was finally agreed.
Carroll, speaking at Newcastle United’s pre-season training camp in York, revealed he may have had a hand in drawing the long-running saga to a close.
The 31-year-old striker said: “I am delighted.
“I have been in Matty’s ear from the beginning trying to get him to sign.
“He is a great player and it is brilliant to see him back with the lads and with the deal done.”
Longstaff travelled down to York to meet up with his teammates and join the squad which includes new signing Mark Gillespie and loan returnee Jacob Murphy, both new faces for Carroll to get to know.
The Gatehsead-born striker added: “Just being around everyone again, in the hotel spending time with them, it has been brilliant.
“We spend Friday nights usually during the season in a hotel together but never weeks like this.
ANDY Carroll says he is feeling ‘better every day’ thanks to Newcastle United’s preparations for the new season.
The striker has so far made it through the first-week of the training camp in York and is hopeful his first full pre-season in eight years will put him in good stead ahead of the season’s kick-off on September 12.
The 31-year-old said: “It has been good, and even with the lockdown it was kind of like a pre-season.
“I worked hard to get my fitness up and when I came back I felt strong so to have another little break, and to be in with the lads having a pre-season, it is massive for me.
“I have not had a full pre-seson for maybe seven or eight years now.
“It has been brilliant - there are
“So it is my first time with the lads in pre-season as well - the bonding is great.
“Mark has fitted straight in, he knows some of the lads and has been here before so for him it’s brilliant.
“We have Murp back as well - I’ve never had much time with him and it is great to have him as part of the team as well.”
On his two-year deal Longstaff, 20, said: “I know I have to go out there good facilities here in York and it is nice to not be too far from home.
“No travelling and no tiredness when you get here - it is just an hour and a half down the road.
“It has been good and everyone has enjoyed it.
“I feel great, we had three weeks off but I kept fit over the summer, worked hard and it is my first pre-season really - I am just looking forward to getting started.”
Gateshead-born Carroll is still looking for that first Premier League goal for the Magpies since returning on a free transfer last summer. and prove how good I am and what I can do.
“I made 15 appearances for the club last year and the Manchester United night when I scored the winner still gives me goosebumps.
“This year I want to make more appearances and I have a bit to prove so I am looking forward to it.
“I know the level I have to get to and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
However, the former West Ham man played a vital part in ensuring United’s safety with some key assists - even though injuries disputed his campaign.
In the end, he finished the 2019-20 campaign with 19 appearances and five assists and benefitted from the postponed end to the season, which allowed him to get back to full fitness after an ankle injury.
Hoping to get through pre-season unscathed, Carroll feels he can make an even bigger impact this campaign.
He added: “100%. I was never really fully fit last year.
“I am always playing catch-up because I never had the pre-season or had the work.
“Now, though, I am feeling better every day. “