Carroll linked with Newcastle return

The Metro understands that Andy Carroll is keen on a move back to boyhood club Newcastle United.

The England international left St James’ Park in January 2011, when Liverpool paid a record £35m to secure his services.

However, his time at Anfield didn’t go exactly to plan, with the forward scoring just eleven times in fifty-eight appearances for the Merseyside club.

A permanent move to West Ham United came in 2013, with Carroll having initially spent the majority of the 2012/13 campaign on loan with Sam Allardyce’s side.

He scored just five goals this season, and the manager that took him to Upton Park has left the club, he may follow suit.

Newcastle beat West Ham 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to ensure their Premier League status, and owner Mike Ashley has suggested that he could finally be ready to spend big as he looks to improve on a disappointing campaign.