Carroll chases injury fix in Sweden

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll will visit a specialist in Sweden in a bid to rid himself of a troubling thigh injury.

Carroll, 22, has played a big part in Newcastle’s success in their first season back in the Premier League, scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances as Alan Pardew’s side have climbed inside the top 10.

A thigh injury has seen Carroll out of action since his side’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham on December 28,despite hopes he would only miss three weeks at most.

Carroll’s return was earmarked for the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland on January 16, but after the striker missed that match and Newcastle’s home clash with Tottenham the next week, action needed to be taken.

Pardew’s squad are currently in Portugal in a break between fixtures, but Carroll will be sent to a colder climate to see a specialist in the hope of fixing his thigh complaint.

“We brought him out here to start running, and the disappointing news is that he hasn’t,” Pardew told The Northern Echo.

“His injury is in the muscle, just above the tendon where it joins the knee, so it’s not an area that gets great circulation and therefore it doesn’t heal quickly.”

“We have had a consultation this week about sending him to someone who is the world’s best tendon repair expert – there are experts in different fields – and this guy is at the Arctic end of Sweden.”

Pardew admitted the striker will not be in action against Fulham on February 2 and said he could also miss Newcastle’s home match with Arsenal three days later.

“He’s flying out there on Friday and we’re hoping that we can turn him around quickly,” Pardew said.

“But now I have to say that Fulham is definitely out and possibly even Arsenal. We can’t rush him back.”