Carroll on brink of new Toon deal

ewcastle are close to warding off interest from Birmingham and Stoke by handing striker Andy Carroll a new four-year deal at St James' Park. Carroll, 21, is reportedly set to treble his £7,000 a week salary to stay with his hometown club after hitting 19 goals for the Magpies during their Championship title-winning season.His form in front of goal has caught the attention of Birmingham and Stoke, but Carroll's representatives have held a series of talks with the Magpies over the summer and a deal is now thought to be close.The new contract is expected to net the England Under-21 striker just over £1million a year.Carroll told the Daily Star Sunday: "This is where I'm from and Newcastle are the only team for me."Meanwhile, Magpies boss Chris Hughton has compared 6ft 3in Carroll's aerial prowess to that of England striker Peter Crouch.He said: "Andy is a bit like Crouch. Crouchy is probably four inches taller - but they are similar."Andy is such a good technical header of the ball that, if the quality of the delivery is right, he will usually get it on target."

Source: Team_Talk