Chris Lakey Norwich's hopes of bringing Andy Carroll to Carrow Road received a boost yesterday when the Newcastle teenager refused to rule out a loan move. The 19-year-old has been targeted by Canaries boss Glenn Roeder as he bids to add some beef to a strike force which is desperately short on numbers.

Chris Lakey

Norwich's hopes of bringing Andy Carroll to Carrow Road received a boost yesterday when the Newcastle teenager refused to rule out a loan move. The 19-year-old has been targeted by Canaries boss Glenn Roeder as he bids to add some beef to a strike force which is desperately short on numbers.

Magpies boss Kevin Keegan is understood to be willing to allow the England U19 international to move away from St James' Park on a temporary deal to gain experience, with Roeder eager to get to the front of the queue.

“After last season and getting a taste of the first team, I am ready for more action,” said Carroll, who was given his Newcastle by Roeder in February, 2006. “The more you are involved, the more you want to play again with the first team.

“My aim for the new season is to be fit and push for more appearances. I've said before that if I have to go out on loan I will.”

Roeder's only senior front-man is Jamie Cureton, and Carroll fits the bill as a strike partner: he's a strapping 6ft 3in hit man who is good in the air.

He also fits the mould of player that Roeder has brought in on loan: he's with a Premier League club, he's young and his club want him to gain experience - much like Ched Evans, Ryan Bertrand, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Pearce last season.

Carroll is currently sidelined with a heel injury that has kept him out of England's European U19 Championship campaign and is expected to miss Newcastle's friendly against Hartlepool a week tomorrow.

Carroll's Newcastle team-mate, Shola Ameobi - who has been linked with a move to Carrow Road for several weeks - could be part of that squad, even though his future appears to be away from the north-east.

Roeder is holding out little hope of bringing Evans back to Carrow Road, and now finds himself in competition with Cardiff City should Mark Hughes allow the Manchester City striker out on loan again.

Reports in Cardiff say the Bluebirds are pulling out all the stops to bring in the Welsh international on a season-long deal - but are in a cluster of 10 clubs interested in his services.

Meanwhile, Luton midfielder David Bell may be staying at Kenilworth Road.

The 24-year-old, who was the subject of an offer from City which was rejected as way below Luton's valuation, says he is focused on the club's push for an instant return to League One - made somewhat academical after yesterday's verdict which means they start the season with a 30-point deficit.

“It's flattering when clubs show an interest, but the focus remains for me with Luton,” he said.