Carroll spent the first half of 2007/08 at Deepdale, scoring one goal, but it was a rollercoaster time and Preston turned down the chance to extend his loan period.
He was sent off in a moment of madness and the 20-year-old readily admits he didn't play as much football at Preston as he'd have liked because he was dropped after that incident.
Andy Carroll: "I looked for the Preston fixture – they're the only team I looked for.
"When I went down there I was 18, so, obviously, I was young, and I'd never really played many games. I played a few games, which I was happy with.
"Being in and around the first team was a different experience to what I'd had here, and I learnt a great deal down there. Neil Mellor was there, and he taught me a lot.
"I did learn a lot in the games I played. I was happy I went there, even though I didn't really play as many games as I wanted to."