Nolan looks past `Carroll saga'

03 February 2011 18:30
Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan is "sick of the whole Andy Carroll saga" and determined to move on from the shock departure of the club's star striker. Midfielder Nolan has also apologised to any Magpies fans he offended by revealing he was "delighted" for Carroll at joining a "fantastic club" in Liverpool. The Magpies are still reeling from the loss of Carroll, who became the most expensive British footballer of all time when he moved to Anfield for £35million late on transfer deadline day. Nolan struck up a close friendship with the 22-year-old after joining Newcastle from Bolton two years ago. The pair even ended up living together last year under bail conditions imposed on Carroll for an assault charge, of which he was later cleared. A lifelong Liverpool fan himself, Nolan appeared on the club's in-house television channel this week to wax lyrical about his former team-mate but managed to alienate some of his own team's supporters in the process. "If fans don't like it, I apologise," said Nolan. "It was never meant to affect them. But Liverpool is a great club and everyone knows that." He added: "There's no-one more disappointed than me. Not only have we lost a top player but I've lost a good mate who was very close. To be honest, I'm getting quite sick of the whole Andy Carroll saga. I just want to put it to bed and get on with it. The last thing I want is to start upsetting our fans because they have been brilliant."

Source: PA