A report from the Telegraph earlier this week suggested Andy Carroll was unlikely to start a game for Newcastle before 2020, as he continues his comeback from a long-term ankle injury.
It left a feeling of deflation for fans, who were euphoric over his brief cameo role in last weekend’s draw with Brighton at St James’ Park.
But Carroll spoke to the Chronicle, and was much more upbeat about his rehabilitation, and confirmed that he suffered no set-backs after his second debut for the Magpies.
He said: “I am hoping for more minutes against Leicester. I am training every day now.
“But the lads have been playing well, so I don’t think too much about it.
“I will just see where it goes from here. I was happy to get 10 minutes against Brighton and to get the reception that I did.”
That he is already hoping for more minutes is fantastic news, and it suggests that if he continues to build momentum week by week, he could be starting games long before the new year, which was suggested in the earlier report.
Andy Carroll must be wary of doing too much, too soon
The worry, of course, is that his eagerness to return and help the black and white cause, will see him push himself too hard, and either aggravate the previous injury, or tweak a muscle as he continues to regain his stamina.
But the medical staff, and Steve Bruce, must put faith in the player, and if he insists he feels ready for more playing time, he must be taken at his word.
Bruce will hope that is the case, as the prospect of having Carroll available to start games, either as an alternative to Joelinton, or alongside the Brazilian, will give everyone at the club a lift.
But it is goals the side need more than anything, with only one coming from a striker so far this season, and having Carroll involved, must surely increase the chances of that number growing.
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