Newcastle are reportedly eyeing up a deal for their former hitman Andy Carroll, with The Chronicle reporting that the Magpies are the bookies' favourite to sign the powerful striker.

What's the word, then?

The 30-year-old has made just one Premier League start this season as he battles to regain his fitness, having endured a barrage of injuries since signing from Liverpool for a fee of around £15m.

His issues, coupled with the form of Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, has clouded the England international's future at the London Stadium in doubt.

Carroll managed to score his first goal since April in the Hammers' recent 2-0 win over Birmingham in the FA Cup, which will give Manuel Pellegrini something to think about seeing as the forward's contract is up at the end of the season.

There is the option of a two-year extension in Carroll's contract should the east London-based side decide to trigger it, but only he can force the issue by staying fit and scoring goals.

A terrible move for Newcastle

A move for Carroll from the Magpies would be an awful decision, and would give Rafa Benitez more problems to think about at St James' Park.

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The Tynesiders' academy graduate would demand huge wages, as he currently earns around £90k-a-week with the Hammers, whilst he still wouldn't be a surefire solution to the Magpies' goalscoring struggles - as aforementioned, he has just one goal since April.

It's difficult to see him being an improvement on Joselu, but with funds as limited as they always are with Mike Ashley at the helm, Benitez needs to be shrewd with his business if he is to find the right man - he simply cannot afford to be lumbered with another problematic player given the amount of deadwood at the club right now.