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Steve Bruce makes final decision on Andy Carroll's Newcastle transfer


Andy Carroll will not be returning to Newcastle this summer – after Steve Bruce stopped his striker hunt.

Striker Carroll has been a free agent since West Ham dumped him earlier this summer following a series of injuries.

The former England international was hopeful of a return to the Magpies, having come through the club’s academy.

Carroll played 91 times for Newcastle’s first team, netting 33 times, before a then-British record move to Liverpool in 2010.

But Bruce has ruined Carroll’s hopes of a homecoming, with a right-back his new priority after splashing nearly £60m on record buy Joelinton and Allen Saint-Maximin.

Andy Carroll is a free agent

Bruce already has Dwight Gayle in his squad as well, and despite injury keeping him out of pre-season, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss wants to keep the foward.

“Gayle has always been part of my plans,” he said, despite Championship interest in Gayle. “I’ve tried to buy him twice but could never afford him.

“We’ve got a nice balance in attack.

“As well as the new players, I’ve been very impressed with Almiron and (Yoshinori) Muto so let’s hope they can all score a few goals because a team is only as good as its strikers.”

Newcastle ramped up their Premier League preparations with a 2-1 win over St Etienne on Saturday – with Joelinton and Matty Longstaff getting on the scoresheet.

Steve Bruce is content with his front line

And after a positive victory, Bruce has admitted he wants to start on the front foot against Arsenal next Sunday.

“I always try to take the game to the opposition,” he said.

“Arsenal will be a different kettle of fish but we want to make it as uncomfortable as we can for that. That’s got to be the mantra.”

Saint-Maximin, who joined from Nice, looks set to be a crowd favourite after a thrilling cameo – and Bruce is excited about the dimensions of this attack.

Joelinton celebrates his strike against St Etienne

He said: “Him and Joelinton give us a new dimension in terms of the pace and power they have.

“Maxi is going to get the fans off their seat because he’s got that wow factor.

“He will drive us mad occasionally but has blistering speed and that trick which seems to have gone out of the game.

“At the top end of the pitch, I think we are a real threat.

“We’re as ready as we can be for Arsenal and things look promising but let’s not get carried away just yet.”





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