Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring Andy Carroll's return to fitness with a view to bringing their former striker back to Tyneside.

The People claims that the former Liverpool forward was close to returning to the his boyhood club in the summer before talks broke down with West Ham United after he sustained an injury in pre-season.

However, the Magpies are still said to be keen on the England international and are keeping tabs on Carroll as he tries to get back to full fitness following ankle surgery.

Newcastle's quest to re-sign Carroll may be helped by the fact that West Ham are not short of strikers, with Enner Valencia, Mauro Zarate and Diafra Sakho all added to the squad recently.

United fought back from two goals down to earn a draw against Hull City on Saturday.