But Carroll has had a poor season, considering a lot was expected of him, and 90% of his troubles have been caused by himself.He was shipped out to Preston North End on loan, but he had a poor start with a red card against Scunthorpe and a serious drop in form.
The Deepdale club could not wait to send him back to St James' Park, and they turned down the option of another six month loan spell.
Carroll was sent home from a tour with the England Under-19 squad for breaking rules, and he suffered the 'hair drier' from Sam Allardyce when he returned.
But the kid has settled down under new boss Kevin Keegan, and the gaffa has given him every encouragement.
It looks like happy days ahead, and perhaps we will see a new side of Carrol next season.
But where does that put Alan Smith?
The England international says he is not looking for an escape route out of Newcastle United this summer despite reports the striker is a transfer target for Middlesbrough and Glasgow Rangers.
Smith is one of the favourites to leave St James's Park before the start of next season as he is no longer guaranteed first-team football by manager Kevin Keegan.
The England international only decided to leave Manchester United last summer because he did not want to be a squad player, but having been a virtual ever-present under former manager Sam Allardyce, Keegan has dropped him from his first-choice XI.