This is why Andy Carroll won't play against Everton

The Newcastle United striker has missed the weekend’s 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea at St James’s Park – and he remains sidelined with a hip problem.

Head coach Steve Bruce said: “It’s innocuous, but he’s obviously in pain with it, so we’ve just got to rehab him and wait until he’s OK.”

Carroll – who re-signed for United, his boyhood club, as a free agent last summer after leaving West Ham United – had ankle surgery late last season. Bruce added: “Thankfully, it’s not his ankle. It’s just a knock-on effect. It’s not his ankle, which is good news. To be fair, he’s played his part so far, and we’ve still got half a season to go.”

Newcastle are 12th in the Premier League and seven points above the relegation zone.