Newcastle content to wait on Carroll

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is maintaining a watching brief after his club re-ignited the debate over Andy Carroll's future.

The Magpies, undaunted by Liverpool's swift rejection of their bid to sign the 23-year-old England striker on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move, will maintain their interest in a player who finds himself engulfed in uncertainty as he prepares to return for pre-season training.

Liverpool jetted off on their North American tour on Monday - Carroll is due to join them early next week after an extended holiday - and Press Association Sport understands they are only prepared to consider a permanent transfer for a man who cost them £35million when they managed to prise him away from the Tyneside club in January last year.

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