Newcastle United will hopefully get Andy Carroll back in their side soon.
Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has told The Sunday Sun (08/09, back page) that he is hoping to get Andy Carroll towards first-team football soon.
The Magpies pounced to sign Carroll on a free transfer last month, landing him after his West Ham United contract came to an end.
Carroll’s move was an emotional one, returning to his boyhood club after more than eight years away, having left Newcastle for Liverpool in 2011.
Some fans still need a little convincing about Carroll’s return, given that he left the club in the first place and has endured consistent injury woes ever since.
The 30-year-old is out of action right now, so hasn’t been able to make his second Newcastle debut just yet, but does appear to be making an impression already.
Bruce suggested to The Sun last week that Newcastle players are ‘attracted’ to Carroll, with his teammates wanting to be around him in and around the club.
As if that wasn’t enough of a boost, Bruce has admitted that Carroll is progressing well with his rehabilitation, and his ankle isn’t sore or swollen unlike in the past.
Bruce feels the signs are ‘encouraging’ with Carroll, and hopes that he can get a couple of weeks of consistent training under his belt ahead of making his second Newcastle debut.
“I am never going to put an exact time on it,” said Bruce. “The good thing for the supporters is that there’s good work he’s done on the training ground with the rehab and physio people. The ankle has had no ill effects. He is not sore and not swollen. In the past that has been the case.”
“Let’s hope he can come and train with us for a couple of weeks. The early signs are encouraging,” he added.
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