Newcastle United are reluctant to lose Andy Carroll this month.

The Evening Chronicle says West Bromwich Albion boss Sam Allardyce is keen on a reunion with his former West Ham player, but the Magpies have assured Carroll he will get the game-time he wants in the second half of the season.

ChronicleLive understands that no official loan offer for Carroll has been submitted by the Baggies at this stage.

Newcastle are not in a position to be dishing out favours to fellow relegation candidates at the moment.

Carroll scored his first goal since returning to the club against Leicester City in a 2-1 defeat, and is now expected to get more opportunities in the next few games with an FA Cup trip to Arsenal on Saturday night to come then an away trip to Sheffield United.