Andy Carroll made his second Premier League debut for Newcastle United on Saturday and Steve Bruce desperately needs him fit and firing.
Newcastle United are worried that Andy Carroll will not be fit to start a Premier League game until 2020 as the prodigal son continues to struggle with a long-term ankle problem, according to The Telegraph.
Carroll made his first Newcastle appearance in eight and a half years on Saturday, coming off the bench to a rapturous reception towards the end of an otherwise forgettable stalemate with Brighton and Hove Albion.
A lot has changed at St James’ Park in almost a decade with Jose Enrique, Jonas Gutierrez and Wayne Routledge wearing black and white stripes in that 2010 defeat to Manchester City, but Carroll’s homecoming has Newcastle fans dreaming of a return to happier times.
The former West Ham target man will have to be patient as he looks to rebuild his career in familiar surroundings, however. The Telegraph claims that Carroll is likely to be restricted to second-half cameos until after Christmas with Newcastle desperate to avoid aggravating an injury that has threatened to wreck the 30-year-old’s entire career.
And that is a big blow for Steve Bruce, who is still searching for a first win in charge of his boyhood club.
Let’s just hope that Joelinton, the £40 million record signing who has looked strong, intelligent yet wasteful in front of goal, can find his shooting boots and fast.
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