Pardew leaps to Carroll's defence

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has backed Andy Carroll to come good at Liverpool, saying he would not hesistate to have the striker back at St James' Park if the opportunity arose.



Carroll has netted just five goals in 28 games since leaving the Magpies for Anfield in a £35 million deal during January, leading to suggestions he does not have the quality or temperament to perform at a title-challenging club.

However, he has not been granted a prolonged run in the team - a state of affairs that is now expected to change given the lengthy suspension meted out to Liverpool hitman Luis Suarez, who is poised to miss nine games.

And Pardew suggests that a stretch of consecutive matches is just what Carroll needs to turn his career around.

"He has not really had a run in that Liverpool side and, like all strikers, he probably needs a run," Pardew said. "He is a young player and all young players need confidence - strikers particularly. Sometimes you need to stay with them.

"He had some games here when he wasn't brilliant over the course of the season, but he was a very important player to this club. The best years for Andy are still ahead of him. He's a great lad. I like Andy and I was disappointed to see him left out of the England squad last time. I think he can be an England No. 9.

"You never want to lose great players and we never wanted to lose Andy. I'd take him back if offered the chance. If the fee offered by Liverpool had not been so high, he'd still be here."