Carroll back on Newcastle bench for Brighton game – nearly nine years after leaving for Liverpool

ANDY CARROLL could make his first appearance since March after being named on the bench for Newcastle's clash with Brighton.

Carroll has not played since his career at West Ham was halted by the need for surgery to insert bigger screws in his ankle.

That has left him waiting in frustration to finally be cleared to make his second debut for Newcastle after re-joining his hometown club over the summer.

But after proving his fitness to boss Steve Bruce over the past two weeks, Carroll has been drafted in as a substitute for the match at St James' Park.

It is the first time he has appeared in the black and white stripes since he left for Liverpool almost nine years ago.