"Carroll played like what we call in Italy a paintbrush striker. He was there to add the finishing touch. He played well on his own. He will be an asset because he can find the smaller players around him in different ways and has already shown he has great awareness."
"He has a kind of presence. It's not down to me to select the player, but he has something special and he is efficient. I have been highly impressed by him."
"Andy Carroll is a really good player, he will be a really interesting player. He is a fighter but he also has quality. I am really happy with his performance. he will be in the next squad because he is one of the most interesting players not just in England, but also in Europe."
"What exactly have I learned in the last year? Certainly to settle myself down off the field. On the field - to concentrate more and keep working. That is what I have been doing and I think it has shown."
Carroll was on Tyneside today and expecting to be back in training this week at the club’s Benton HQ.
He received the all-clear from a Swedish specialist to resume a season that has seen him smash his way to the top end of the Premier League’s scorer’s chart.