Andy Carroll advised to play it cool

Sep 3 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has warned Andy Carroll things could quickly turn sour for him this season as Newcastle United’s manager looks to keep the striker in check following a blistering start to the season.

Carroll has enjoyed a sensational start with four goals in three games and it was not unreasonable to suggest his form could have led to a call-up for Fabio Capello’s England squad for tonight’s European Championship friendly against Bulgaria.

Instead, Carroll is back on Tyneside this weekend nursing an ankle injury which forced him to withdraw from the Under-21 squad after aggravating the problem in the draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

That injury is expected to clear up with rest in time for the 20-year-old to face Blackpool next weekend and Hughton is more concerned with making sure his star striker’s feet remain on the ground rather than up in the air to heal.

“Andy is a striker and the one thing you know with strikers is that things can go badly for them as well as good,” said Hughton, who will spend his international break watching two matches on the continent.

“He has had a fantastic start to the new season and we have been really pleased with his contribution. However, we know that, while he is scoring goals now, there will be a period when he isn’t and that is when the real test comes.

“All strikers have barren spells and he will not always get things going his way. We need Andy to keep his feet on the ground and to keep working hard. He is still learning and we mustn’t expect too much from him too soon.

“Andy is a level-headed lad, though, and he tends to take things in his stride. He has not let anything go to his head so far.” Those sentiments are shared by United new boy Sol Campbell. The former England international has, like everyone, been impressed by Carroll’s impact in the top flight, but he still feels he will need time to develop into the top class centre-forward he has the potential to be.