Newcastle boss hails Carroll

Carroll has been a key player for the Magpies this season and impressed against in the goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday.

Hughton said: “He is a young player who we have wanted to make very good progress – he has done exactly that. He has added goals to his game.

“He is very different to most other strikers and he couldn’t have done any more this season to stake a claim (for England).

“When we decided to give him that number nine shirt, it was because we felt he could very much develop into that role, and he couldn’t have done any more than he has done.”