But it all went sadly wrong!
Preston struggled with the youngster leading the line and the fans got on his back. Then he was sent off in a match against Scunthorpe and was suspended for three games and failed to make his mark after that.
He was sent hope in disgrace from the England camp for breaking a curfew, and Sam Allardyce gave him the dressing down of his life.
Preston didn't want him - sent him back to Tyneside, and a loan move to Motherwell fell through at the last moment.
He is back ... and last night saw the first bright spot of a troubled season ... he scored a hat-trick against the Smogs!
Carroll fired a message to new boss Kevin Keegan with a superb hat-trick for Newcastle United's reserves against Middlesbrough.
'I'm Here If You Want Me' - Striker Tells Keegan!
The 19-year-old - who struck three goals in the same fixture last season - and his team-mates demolished the Teessiders 5-0 at Billingham Sythonia's Central Avenue last night.
Jonny Godsmark and Dan Neary also finding the net for Adam Sadler's side.
The game saw new signing Tamas Kadar made his United debut after joining for the club last week, and the 17-year-old Hungarian had an assured debut alongside David Edgar in the centre of defence.
Kadar, who has signed a four-and-a-half year deal, has been capped by Hungary at Under-21 level, and is rated as one of the country's brightest defensive prospects.