No Newcastle United player has had No 9 on his back since Obafemi Martins quit the club a year ago, and Chris Hughton has deliberately left the shirt vacant.
Just four players have worn the No 9 shirt during the Premier League era for United – Martins, Andy Cole, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer.
Chris Hughton: “It has yet to be decided. But the type of character that Andy is tells me he wouldn’t shy away from it if we hand it to him in July.
“He has got no fear and I think he would simply revel in the situation.
“He certainly will be a good candidate for it.
“When you look at the greats who’ve worn it, it can be a burden for others, but I honestly don’t think it would be for Andy.
“He’s not that type of character.
“With all players you are always looking for an improvement from them each season. And I think Andy has certainly given us that.
“It’s pleasing progress for us and, of course, with the type of player that Andy Carroll is and the age he’s at, we’ll be looking for more development from him.
“It gets even tougher now as we head to the top level.
“But everything we asked from him last season, he gave us.
“One of the areas was his goal ratio and the need to give us a good return, and he passed that test with flying colours with 19 goals.
“He’s an exciting player and one we’re delighted to have. We’ll hopefully see an improvement.
“He’s a good age and next season is all about the next chapter for him.”
WORLD CUP 2010
GROUP A FIXTURES
Friday, 11 June 2010
South Africa v Mexico, 15:00
Uruguay v France, 19:30
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
South Africa v Uruguay, 19:30
Thursday, 17 June 2010
France v Mexico, 19:30
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
France v South Africa, 15:00
Mexico v Uruguay, 15:00
GROUP B FIXTURES
Saturday, 12 June 2010
South Korea v Greece, 12:30
Argentina v Nigeria, 15:00
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Argentina v South Korea, 12:30
Greece v Nigeria, 15:00
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Greece v Argentina, 19:30
Nigeria v South Korea, 19:30
GROUP C FIXTURES
Saturday, 12 June 2010
England v USA, 19:30
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Algeria v Slovenia, 12:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
Slovenia v USA, 15:00
England v Algeria, 19:30
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Slovenia v England, 15:00
USA v Algeria, 15:00
GROUP D FIXTURES
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Serbia v Ghana, 15:00
Germany v Australia, 19:30
Friday, 18 June 2010
Germany v Serbia, 12:30
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Ghana v Australia, 15:00
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Australia v Serbia, 19:30
Ghana v Germany, 19:30
GROUP E FIXTURES
Monday, 14 June 2010
Netherlands v Denmark, 12:30
Japan v Cameroon, 15:00
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Netherlands v Japan, 12:30
Cameroon v Denmark, 19:30
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Cameroon v Netherlands, 19:30
Denmark v Japan, 19:30
GROUP F FIXTURES
Monday, 14 June 2010
Italy v Paraguay, 19:30
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New Zealand v Slovakia, 12:30
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Slovakia v Paraguay, 12:30
Italy v New Zealand, 15:00
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Paraguay v New Zealand, 15:00
Slovakia v Italy, 15:00
GROUP G FIXTURES
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Ivory Coast v Portugal, 15:00
Brazil v North Korea, 19:30
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Brazil v Ivory Coast, 19:30
Monday, 21 June 2010
Portugal v North Korea, 12:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
North Korea v Ivory Coast, 15:00
Portugal v Brazil, 15:00
GROUP H FIXTURES
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Honduras v Chile, 12:30
Spain v Switzerland, 15:00
Monday, 21 June 2010
Chile v Switzerland, 15:00
Spain v Honduras, 19:30
Friday, 25 June 2010
Chile v Spain, 19:30
Switzerland v Honduras, 19:30