Chris Hughton: Andy Carroll's a blast from past

Apr 28 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton believes Andy Carroll could bring classic English centre-forwards back into fashion if he builds on an exciting season in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Carroll has perhaps benefited more than anyone from Newcastle’s spectacular fall from grace last season as he has been given the chance to play regular first-team football in the second tier.

That has rapidly accelerated Carroll’s development and there is little question that he is the most improved player in the Magpies squad with 19 goals in 41 appearances – enough to earn him a place in the PFA Championship team of the Year this week.

And, despite the England Under-21s much-publicised problems off the pitch – he is due to attend Newcastle Crown Court tomorrow for the start of a trial into an alleged assault at the Blu Bambu nightclub before Christmas – he is one of the most exciting prospects in English football.

Hughton has steadfastly stuck by the striker – who has also reportedly caught the eye of England coach Fabio Capello.

And United’s manager is confident that the 21-year-old can carry his Championship goalscoring form into the Premier League next term.

Hughton said: “He’s a player who has a wonderful leap. He is a very good technical header of the ball.

“He’s an old style centre-forward, going back to the 60s and 70s. He’s a real classic striker in the old-fashioned mould and when you consider he’s only a young player with the ability to develop his game, he is a good prospect.”

Some would argue that Carroll’s ability to terrorise Championship defences does not automatically mean he will be able to do it at the highest level.

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored 25 goals last season for Mick McCarthy’s side but has managed just two in 25 games this year in the top flight.

Those with longer memories will also point to former Sunderland targetman Kevin Kyle, who scored 16 goals in 50 appearances in the 2003-04 season when the Black Cats lost in the play-off semi-finals to Crystal Palace.