Toon Striker Ready For United!

Last updated : 22 February 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Carroll insists that he could handle the step up to Premier League football if selected on Saturday.

The young striker is yet to start a top-flight fixture for Newcastle, but with manager Kevin Keegan hinting that he may be involved against Manchester United at the weekend Carroll is hoping that his chance may finally have arrived.

Carroll: "I didn't play for the reserves because there's a chance I might be involved at some point on Saturday.

"It would be great to get that chance and I definitely feel ready, but we'll have to wait and see.

"I've said before that I'll keep working hard in training and scoring goals for the reserves and hopefully the gaffer will notice that."

Keegan: "He's done very well, I like him.

"He didn't play on Monday because I've got him in the first-team squad and I didn't want him to get injured.

"He gives us something different to what we've got in the forward department.

"And that's why he's involved."