Big Andy can be United's No 9, says Irvine
HOMEGROWN striker Andy Carroll can one day pull on the famous No9 jersey at Newcastle United, according to Alan Irvine.
That's the verdict of Preston North End manager Irvine, who worked with Carroll when he was Academy director at Newcastle and during the striker's loan spell at Deepdale.
Carroll spent the first half of the 2007-08 season on loan at Preston, and before the 20-year-old returned to St James's Park, Irvine told him he could one day wear the United No9 jersey.
The revered shirt has been mothballed since Obafemi Martins's summer exit, but Irvine – whose side take on Newcastle at Deepdale on Monday night – believes Carroll has the potential to don the famous jersey.
"Andy's doing really well, and I'm delighted for him," Irvine told the Gazette.
"I've seen Newcastle four times this season, and Andy's played in a couple of the games. He's been very good – I thought he was excellent against Sheffield United.
"When I first came into the job here, Andy was on loan. He want back in January, and when he was going back, I told him he could be a great Newcastle United No9.
"He's got that kind of potential. He's certainly developing in the way I hoped he'd develop, and I still, to this day, believe he can be that great No9, and I know what that shirt means to the Newcastle fans."
Carroll has played 180 minutes for England's Under-21s since scoring his fourth goal of the season against Peterborough United almost two weeks ago.
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton was at Wembley last Saturday to see the Gateshead-born player set up Danny Rose's winner against Portugal, and he says Carroll returned to Tyneside in high spirits.
Hughton said: "Andy's in good spirits. What Andy's going through is part of his education.
"He's on the back of two fortnights away with England Under-21s, but, for us, what's important is what we do here.
"He's still developing as a player, and he'll have his highs and lows. He's in the right place, he's in a good squad and he's playing.
"He's playing at Under-21 level too, and at the moment, for him life is good."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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