Newcastle United haven't dropped interest in bringing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll back to Tyneside in the summer.

The Evening Chronicle says Carroll would be "open" to the lure of a return home this summer - if presented with the opportunity.

The Geordie is currently on-loan at West Ham United, which has an agreement with Liverpool over a permanent deal, though nothing exists with the player.

The bonus for Newcastle - who were prepared to offer £12m for the player last summer after an initial loan - is this transfer fee is likely to come down again this summer if Liverpool fail to sell him to West Ham.

Yet a fresh loan move to Tyneside, with a view to a permanent deal, would also be a possibility again if Newcastle were prepared to pay some of his wages.