Carroll 8-11 to make summer return to Toon

ANDY CARROLL has reportedly told his representatives to negotiate a move back to his former club Newcastle and he seems likely to get his wish before the end of the summer.

The 23-year-old striker has endured a largely difficult 18 months with Liverpool and does not seem to figure in the plans of Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, who has already acquired Italian striker Fabio Borini in an £11m deal.

Newcastle had originally enquired about a loan deal for Carroll but a permanent switch now seems more likely.

Hills go 8-13 about Carroll leaving Liverpool before the start of the season – he is 6-5 to stay – and offer just 8-11 about him joining Newcastle in the same timeframe, although, it may take some time for the clubs to agree on a fee.

West Ham had been considered the early front-runners to sign Carroll and they may have switched their attentions to wantaway Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, who is 9-4 with Hills to seal a switch to Upton Park before the start of the season. Malaga are the 7-4 market leaders to sign the Bulgarian.

St Johnstone will be without summer signing Gregory Tade and captain Dave Mackay for tomorrow’s Europa League second qualifying round first leg tie away to Turkish side Eskisehirspor.

The SPL side look set for a tough night’s work with Eskisehirspor no bigger than 1-3 to secure a first leg victory and Saints available at 9-1.