Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is excited by what he's seen from Andy Carroll.

For victory on Saturday, Carroll walked a fine line against West Ham, adding “physicality" to the Geordies but also earning a booking and sparking a debate over his aerial challenges.

Carroll has lost 5kg in bodyweight and not missed training for months.

And his fight back to fitness has handed Bruce a new weapon to unleash in selected games.

Bruce said: “Unfortunately as my face will tell you, if you are going to head it you are going to get bashed around a bit. It is normal.

“It seems to be now if you go for a challenge and a header and there is contact on your face it is going to happen and will happen as long as heading the ball is in the rules.

“We need the physicality of Andy.

"It is what he is all about and one of the reasons he is in the team.

“Andy did it well. With no fans we head every bit of contact, every moan and groan a player makes! Andy was terrific.

“We want to see THE Andy Carroll. Andy of old. Fit, well, a presence. When he plays like that we all know how good he is."