The curtain could finally come down on Andy Carroll’s affiliation with Newcastle this summer, and Dean Windass reckons that a step down to the Championship might perhaps be his best bet.
Having come through the ranks before spending five years in the Magpies’ first-team, Carroll returned to St James’ Park in 2019 following his release from West Ham after several injuries.
Would Roy Hodgson have been a smart choice for West Brom's new manager?
Yes
No
However, Carroll’s cursed luck has continued during his second Newcastle spell, making just 43 appearances across two seasons – 11 of which have been from the start.
Remarkably, over the previous campaign, the former England striker missed just one game through injury, but simply wasn’t picked by Steve Bruce, with Joelinton, Callum Wilson and even Dwight Gayle all above him in the pecking order.
Carroll’s only goal in the previous two years was a consolation against Leicester in January, and with his contract expiring at the end of this month, his time with his boyhood club is coming to an end.
Should he not be offered a new deal, Windass told This is Futbol that a move to West Brom should suit the 32-year-old:
“You’ve had a problem with Andy Carroll with his injuries, but he would do a great job in the Championship.
“Somebody like West Brom would be a great signing if Chrissy Wilder gets the job, but can you take a gamble on his fitness? That’s the problem.”