Carroll will be our Big Dunc if he can stay fit

BY SIMON BIRD STEVE BRUCE has backed Andy Carroll to strike fear into defences like Duncan Ferguson now he’s finally back to fitness.

The Geordie hitman is fit to face Brighton today – the first time he has been injury-free since February.

Bruce will use Carroll off the bench, insisting he can spark Newcastle’s goal-shy attack and haul the club out of the bottom three.

The 30-year-old, signed on a free transfer after leaving West Ham, has netted just three league goals since April 2017, mainly because he’s rarely fit enough to play.

But Newcastle boss Bruce thinks he can still have a big impact like former Toon, Rangers and Everton hitman Ferguson.

He said: “Andy is like Duncan, a handful. He is something different and will give all of us a lift.

“There were times when he was younger when he was unplayable. If we see a glimpse of that it will be worth the wait.”