Amiens striker Andy Carroll is delighted for former club Newcastle United and their progress under Eddie Howe.

Carroll feels the manager has been key to Newcastle's transformation.

He told ChronicleLive: "Do you know what? When I was there, a few of the lads were saying: 'Eddie Howe needs to come in'. And that he would change everything. That's exactly what's happened. I just wish that even if I'd had a little spell with Eddie would have been great.

"Not that I am his type of player or wouldn't have expected to play under him the way he plays but just to see how he is around the training ground and how he coaches. Eddie gets the best out of the players. Even the players who when I was there were not even on the bench or not playing, he got the best out of them.

"I would have liked to have been part of that. When I was there, Callum Wilson and Matt Ritchie spoke so highly of him and how much he'd change this and that. Looking at it now from outside, wow. Look at Sean Longstaff.

"We all know he has got the talent but when I was there. He was on the bench, I was on the bench, Fabian Schar was on the bench, Jacob Murphy wasn't playing, they have been some of the best players.

"They are absolutely flying under him. It is madness. So I just wish I'd had that bit of time with him to see how he goes about his business. I have heard a lot of good things from him. Matt and Callum all said how good he was.

"You don't know until you see it yourself. Now you see it and the Newcastle fans are cheering for him it is unbelievable."