Source: Telegraph
Newcastle's Andy Carroll eyeing starting place in squad to face Tottenham
The 20-year-old Geordie set his sights on making Alan Shearer's first team after coming on as a second-half substitute at Stoke to score the equaliser in a morale-boosting 1-1 draw.
"I need to stay fit now, work hard in training, keep doing everything the gaffer tells me to and hopefully push myself into the first team," Carroll said.
"We're now two points behind Sunderland but we're all confident we can get out of trouble and we've got another massive game at Spurs next week."
Third-bottom Newcastle may still be in the Premier League relegation zone but Carroll's spirits have been lifted by the recovery at the Britannia Stadium which ensured Stoke remain involved in a fight for survival.
"I was delighted to get the goal at Stoke because it was a goal we really needed," Gateshead-born Carroll added.
"It was a good ball by Duffer (Damien Duff) and I just knew where the goal was and tried my best to get it up and over the keeper.
"It was an unbelievable feeling to see it go in and my head was still buzzing after the game.
"After going 1-0 down we would have taken a point but we came for all three points. We were disappointed t go a goal behind but we fought back
well."
Newcastle defender Habib Beye is bullish about his club's prospects under Shearer following the comeback in the Potteries.
"It was a massive point for us because we knew Stoke was going to be a very difficult game for us," Beye said.
"We showed some good quality, good spirit and to go away with a point is very good for us at this stage."
"We have a challenge ahead in the next six games and if we can get 18 points that would be perfect. Twelve would also be good."
Beye added: "Everyone knows what Alan Shearer has done before. He took this job for the last eight games because he is from the area and he wants to save Newcastle United.
"If anyone can do that for this club it is him because everyone knows he is a Newcastle legend. He wants everyone focused on the challenge.
"He does not want to see Newcastle in the Championship and he is full of spirit. We are trying to make sure he achieves that. This was a massive point and now we really believe we can do it."
