Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is unsure about Andy Carroll making the Boxing Day clash with Manchester United.

Carroll created Miguel Almiron's winner against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"I've got to try and box clever. We'll see how Andy is this morning," he said. “He wants to play every week but I'll have a conversation with him. It would be unrealistic to think he could play two games in 48 hours but knowing how he is, he'll want to. We'll see how he is watch this space.

"His impact has been huge. I said a couple of months ago that once he starts training he'll give a lift to everyone.

"He's not young Andy Carroll anymore, people are looking to him as an example. He has that real enthusiasm like any Geordie has. Let's hope he stays because he's a local hero. The more he plays, the more mobile he is and the better he'll get.

“He epitomises what it means to play for Newcastle. He'll not shirk anything and he leads from the front. If he stays well, and thankfully with the training regime we've got he looks good, he'll be great for us."