Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier says Newcastle United signed Andy Carroll as a PR stunt.

Carroll has played just 536 minutes this season after arriving as a free agent in the summer.

In quotes reported by HITC, Le Tissier said: "It's a PR stunt, very much so.

"It had been that long since he had been fit for a period of time. He has [got desire] but it's a shame for the lad.

"Nobody wants to be injured. As a professional footballer, it's the worst place to be where you are sat injured all the time. I had it the last few years of my career and it's just so frustrating. It must be heartbreaking for Andy Carroll.

"But you look at the signing and you do wonder how much thought went into it in terms of can we get him fit and playing regularly, week in, week out. Pretty much [to get fans onside]."