Newcastle United reportedly fear that Andy Carroll will not be able to start a game for the club until 2020 as he continues to undergo rehabilitation for an ankle problem.
The striker, who came through Newcastle's academy, returned to Tyneside over the summer on a free transfer following surgery on his ankle.
Carroll made his first appearance back at St James' Park during a 0-0 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, receiving a standing ovation as he came on for the final eight minutes.
However, according to The Telegraph, the chances of Carroll playing a whole 90 minutes before next year are very slim, with the 30-year-old's current stage of rehabilitation necessitating that he is confined to cameos off the bench.
New manager Steve Bruce is desperate for goals after overseeing a shaky start to life as Magpies boss, winning just one of his opening seven games.
Carroll initially left Newcastle in 2011 to complete a £30m move to Liverpool, joining West Ham United two years later, where he was blighted by endless injury problems.
Leo Nieboer
