Carroll has failed to score in 30 appearances since returning to Newcastle in 2019 (Getty Images)
Steve Bruce hopes striker Andy Carroll will sign a new contract at Newcastle, according to the Sun.
The 30-year-old returned to his first club in August on a highly-incentivised pay-as-you-play deal which is understood to include a clause which will earn him a new contract if he makes a stipulated number of appearances.
Carroll, whose career since he left Newcastle in a £35m switch to Liverpool in January 2011 has been punctuated by a series of injuries, has made a significant impact since being nursed back from the second bout of ankle surgery.
Carroll arrived back on Tyneside having not kicked a ball in anger since February as a result of an ankle injury which required two bouts of surgery and limited him to just 14 appearances in his final season at West Ham.
However, having been eased back into action by his home-town club, he has played his part in an improved run of results with the Magpies, having won six of the 11 league games in which he has featured. He set up Miguel Almiron’s winner against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
So far, he has played 10 of the Magpies’ league games, with his influence having increased markedly in the last few weeks. He set up Jonjo Shelvey’s goal in the win at Sheffield United too. Newcastle have managed to get a sustained period of games out of Carroll after being blighted by injuries over his career.
In his second stint at St. James’ Park, Carroll has performed decently and has helped them churn out victories. Record signing Joeltinton has been trusted with the responsibility of being the main striker but in Carroll, they have a good backup. By offering him an extension, Newcastle would do well.