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Andy Carroll fitness fears suggest tough road ahead for Steve Bruce at Newcastle
Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is unlikely to start a match for the Magpies before Christmas, hinting at a turbulent time ahead for Steve Bruce at St James’ Park.
Andy Carroll: Newcastle United is home
Newcastle United forward Andy Carroll is unlikely to start a match until after the busy Christmas period, according to The Telegraph.
Instead, he’ll be used as a bit-part player, coming off of the bench from time-to-time.
The Newcastle hierarchy don’t want to risk damaging Caroll’s fitness any more, and his workload has to be managed.
Steve Bruce signed Carroll on a free transfer this summer, after his contract expired at West Ham United.
Not being able to start Carroll will surely be seen as a blow for the new Newcastle boss
He was brought to St James’ Park to provide a different option going forward, and the club were willing to risk his torrid injury record because of the emotional connection to the fans.
But, amid claims that Bruce is inflexible with his tactics, not being able to start Carroll will surely be seen as a blow for the new Newcastle boss.
Newcastle have won just one match so far this season, and find themselves in 17th place in the Premier League table, with just five points from six matches.
The Magpies have a lack of top quality strikers, and Bruce was relying on Carroll’s finishing to push them up the table.
Joelinton is Newcastle’s main striker, having been signed from Hoffenheim for £40million this summer.
But, Bruce also has Dwight Gayle and Youshinuro Muto in reserve, as well as Allan Saint-Maximim, who could play as a central striker if he had to.
Carroll had missed 115 matches when he re-signed for Newcastle, since he first broke onto the scene on Tyneside.
He has only been named in the match day squad on one occasion this season, coming on for just eight minutes against Brighton last weekend.
Before Carroll left Newcastle for West Ham in 2012, he scored 33 goals for the club in 91 appearances, and Bruce will be hoping for a similar return when he’s fully fit to start matches consistently.
His ankle has been the problem over the summer, and the back end of last season. He had surgery on the ankle in March, and is still recovering.
Meanwhile, Newcastle travel to Leicester City on Sunday as they face an in-form Brendan Rodgers side.
They then have a tricky three weeks of Premier League fixtures, against Manchester United, Chelsea, and Wolves.