Newcastle United face stiff competition for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

The Daily Mail says Newcastle have intensified their bid to land Carroll after making an official enquiry to take the Liverpool striker on a season-long loan.

West Ham United were the first club to express an interest in Carroll and would be prepared to sign him initially on loan with a view to buying him for more than £15m should they retain their place in the Barclays Premier League.

Fulham are also interested and Aston Villa became the latest club to join the race when manager Paul Lambert confirmed on Saturday that the 23-year-old was one of his key summer targets.

But Newcastle would be hoping that the emotional pull of a return to his native North East would give them the trump card in this battle.