Sam Allardyce is obviously seeing some of the potential of our youngsters as he talked today about Andrew Carroll. Andrew has played for the youth team these last two years but made his first team debut last season.

Andrew of course is our young and exciting local prospect who was born in Gateshead.

We’ll take a look at what Sam had to say about Andrew – but we think Sam will have to decide at some point soon what to do with the likes of Carroll, Krul, Edgar and perhaps Huntington – on whether he will send the youngsters out on loan next season.

18 year-old Andrew Carroll

Sam Allardyce said today:

“I have heard so much about Andy from other managers because they keep ringing up and asking for him on loan, which rather excited me about the potential of the young man.”

“There is very good potential there. Whether it’s going to be in key areas in the Premier League this year, I’ll decide that further down the line as the season comes closer.”

“He can play a part now because Mark Viduka is away, but when Mark comes back, I will have a full assessment and there might be the possibility that one of those managers may get lucky.”

“I may loan him out if I feel that’s the right thing for Andy and the right thing for us.”

“Or if he carries on improving and showing the sort of potential he’s got, I might decide to keep him here and use him when I feel necessary to give him some Premier League experience.”

Andy was given his first-team debut in the UEFA Cup tie against Palermo on November 2, 2006, when he appeared as a late substitute and became the youngest ever player to represent Newcastle in Europe – at the age of 17 years and 300 days. That’s the game in which goalkeeper Tim Krul also made his debut and played so well in the victory.

18-year-old Carroll has started both of Newcastle’s pre-season friendlies – with Mark Viduka away on international duty captaining Australia – but returning later this week to start training with the Newcastle squad.

Allardyce has apparently been inundated with requests from managers to take Andrew on loan as he attempts to find the games he will need to further his development. He has so far made seven appearances, all from the bench, in competitive games for Newcastle, and played 45 minutes in last week’s 3-1 win over Hartlepool United and the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Carlisle United. At an imposing 6ft 3ins, Carroll, who is contracted to the club until 2011, is a physical presence and used his sizable frame to very good effect at Victoria Park.

Andrew Carroll was born January 6, 1989 in Gateshead – and attended the Brighton Avenue Primary School, and Joseph Swan School. Andy was drafted into the Newcastle Academy and during the last two years has starred for the Newcastle Youth team who have twice reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

Last year they were narrowly defeated by Everton and this year were beaten by the winners of the last two years – Liverpool. In this year’s final Liverpool defeated Manchester United on penalties – and the semi-finalists were Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle – which tells you the club is doing an excellent job at the academy to be with such illustrious company.

Andrew made his debut in the FA Cup in the disastrous 5-1 home defeat to Birmingham City in January, appearing as a substitute for the last 10 minutes. On 25 February 2007, he made his Premiership debut, coming on as a substitute in the 87th minute in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic. Only a good save from Wigan Athletic goalkeeper John Filan prevented Carroll from scoring his first senior goal in a Newcastle United shirt.

Andrew with the 2007 Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy

In 2007, he won the ‘Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy’, given each year to the rising young star of north-east football.

Certainly we’re sure all fans will hope that Carroll eventually makes it big at Newcastle – good luck to him – and may he score many goals for Newcastle in the future!

Comments welcome.