A return to Newcastle United for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is not being ruled out.

Carroll is currently on-loan at West Ham United, where Liverpool have a January recall option.

The People says Liverpool are in the market for Toon striker Demba Ba, which could set up a return to Tyneside for Carroll.

Relationships between ­Liverpool and Newcastle have been frosty since the Magpies went public on their desire to loan Carroll this season.

But the possibility of Toon landing Carroll next year could be raised again if the two clubs do get back around the table.