Carroll backed to put troubles behind him
ANDY Carroll has been backed to put his off-field troubles to one side and continue to bang in the goals for Newcastle United.
Carroll, set to face Derby County at Pride Park tonight, was yesterday charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm over a nightclub incident in December.
And the striker – who struck two goals against Cardiff City in Newcastle's last game – will appear before magistrates later this month.
Read more on tonight's big game
Danny's keen to finish what he started
New-look defence Fitz the bill for Chris
Low-key Leon will get better
Big Andy wants to keep record going
The development comes at a crucial time in United's promotion campaign, with Chris Hughton's league-leading side having seven Championship games this month.
Hughton, however, is confident Carroll's pending court case won't affect him – or his team.
"What he has to do is knuckle down to the business in hand," Hughton told the Gazette.
"And the business in hand is working hard on the training pitch every day, trying to get selected, and when he is selected, putting in a performance which is going to get him into the team the following week.
"It's a learning curve, and as with all young players, what they have to do is be focused on their day-to-day work. That's what will take you where you want to go.
"What he wants to be is a very, very good footballer. His daily work will enable him to get there. This is the best place for him."
Carroll's double strike against Cardiff took his tally for the season to eight goals, and having been in and out of Hughton's side earlier in the season, the Gateshead-born player is becoming more of a fixture in his starting XI.
"He's been prepared to knuckle down," Hughton went on. "You have to remember he is still a young lad, and there's more development to come in his game.
"He's a big lad, but he's probably still developing physically. We still have to take all that into account.
"He's a player in good form at the minute. What he's added to his game is goals that we needed to go with it.
"Friday was probably his best all-round game, not just the goals but his general contribution to the game, his prowess in the air. I thought he worked hard."
"He's a lad that wants to play – he's the same as anybody we've got here at the moment.
"He's disappointed when he doesn't play – he wants to play as many games as possible. That's the sort of commitment you want."
* Newcastle United's Kazenga LuaLua has joined Brighton and Hove Albion on a month's loan.
For the first match report from Pride Park tonight, log on to www.shieldsgazette.com after the game
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Friday 10 February 2012
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