Handy Andy?

Local press in the North East have claimed that West Ham are looking at Newcastle youngster Andy Carroll.

The Shields Gazette reports that United are 'considering a move' for the Gateshead-born striker who made his first team breakthrough at St James Park at the tender age of 16, becoming the youngest player to represent Newcastle in European competition.

Carroll made his Premier League debut in February 2007 and registered his first senior goal in a 2-0 friendly win against Juventus later that year. Following an unhappy loan spell at Preston he returned to Newcastle in January 2008 but was consigned to the reserves for the remainder of the season.

Having seen a permanent switch to Derby fall through that summer Carroll found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons after being arrested - and later cautioned - for assaulting a woman.

Despite scoring on his home league debut in the 2-2 draw with West Ham at the beginning of 2009 his hot-headedness was to cause him further problems when he was involved in a training ground fight with team mate Charles N'Zogbia earlier this year.

Shortly after the incident - which was dismissed by manager Joe Kinnear as 'handbags' - Carroll signed a new three-and-a-half year deal with the Magpies before being named in the England under 20 squad.