The 19-year-old made his first start of the campaign in Saturday's goalless draw away to Hull City in the FA Cup's third round.

While Carroll was frustrated not to open his account, having had a couple of first-half chances, he was still happy to have played his part in a bruising game.

The Gateshead-born striker – who struck his only senior goal in a pre-season friendly against Juventus 18 months ago – left the field with a gash just below his mouth after getting caught by the boot of Nathan Doyle.

"I put my head down a little bit low and got one in the face, but I just wanted to get on with it," Carroll told the Gazette.

"I got a bit of Vaseline on it to stop it bleeding, but then I just wanted to carry on playing. It's part of a striker's job. I just play, and if I get hit, I get hit."

Carroll was given the nod to partner Michael Owen up front after Damien Duff – used as a makeshift striker in the previous game - dropped back into a more familiar midfield role when manager Joe Kinnear opted to leave Jonas Gutierrez on the bench.

He went on: "It was great to go into the meeting before the game and learn I was in the starting line-up.

"To get my first start of the season great for me. It's great to play with Michael Owen, and even in training I still have to pinch myself a bit.

"I was pleased with it. I had a few chances early on and the keeper done well to save a couple of them. I was always there to get on the end of things."

Carroll is now hoping he has done enough to stay in the team for Saturday's Premier League home game against West Ham United.

"Hopefully I will be in the team," said Carroll. "If I play, I'll be happy, but even if I'm on the bench, I'm still involved. I just need to keep working hard.

"The manager was happy and he told me to stick at it."