Steve Bruce addresses future of 'great servant' at Newcastle United ahead of end-of-season talks

Carroll – who came off the bench against Sheffield United in midweek for what could prove to be a farewell appearance at St James’s Park – is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

The 32-year-old, re-signed as a free agent two years ago following his departure from West Ham United, has only started four Premier League games this season, with his opportunities having been limited by the form of Callum Wilson.

"The good thing is that he’s been practically injury-free,” head coach Bruce told BBC Radio Newcastle. “He’s picked up a few niggles.

"His huge contribution has been in and around the dressing room. At the end of the day, he’s got a huge presence, and we’re seeing that with the crowd, even the reaction the other night in the last 10, 15 minutes.

"Andy Carroll’s been Andy Carroll He’ll always be a great Newcastle. Again, (there will be) conversations. I’ve just parked all of these things. We decided that we’re going to talk about everything at the end, because of the situation we were in. We’ll have those conversations.

"Make no doubt, Andy’s been a great servant to me and the club over the past couple of years.”

The only goal so far of Gateshead-born Carroll’s second spell at Newcastle came in a home defeat to Leicester City in January.

Carroll is in the United squad for tomorrow’s final game of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

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