Steve Bruce says he’s pleased with Andy Carroll’s recent progress amid claims he could be handed his first start of the season at Chelsea on Saturday.
Carroll returned to his boyhood club this summer on a free transfer, eight-and-a-half years after first leaving for Liverpool.
Injury problems have dogged the striker’s career and he was regularly on the sidelines for previous club West Ham before seeing out his contract with the Londoners.
He’s now worked his way back to fitness since returning to St James’ Park and, after coming on as a sub in the last three games, reports say the 30-year-old is primed for his first start this weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Bruce says Carroll has been training well and remains pleased with his attitude and work-rate behind the scenes.
The Magpies boss said: “Andy’s doing great, touch wood. He came on at Leicester and played another half an hour against Man Utd and there’s been no reaction to that. He’s trained all week again. So with Andy, it’s a case of so far, so good.”
Newcastle are preparing for their clash at Chelsea on the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Manchester United before the international break and Bruce says his players need to follow up the display last time out with something similar against the Blues.
He added: “We need to put in another big performance. We’ve seen we’re capable, but the big thing is consistency, especially away; it has to be better. The Man Utd result gave everyone a lift at the right time. Now we’re going to try and do it again.”
Newcastle sit just outside the relegation zone in 16th in the top flight ahead of this weekend’s games, a point above the bottom three, while Chelsea are fifth and have won their last four games in all competitions.
COMMENTS