Andy Carroll has suffered a training ground injury ahead of Newcastle United's clash with Manchester City today.

The Evening Chronicle says Carroll is rated as extremely doubtful for the home clash with City.

The Geordie centre-forward has picked up a knock in training meaning Yoshinori Muto could return to the bench against the champions at St James' Park.

Carroll's schedule at United is being managed extremely carefully after a summer ankle operation, with Newcastle taking no risks on the former Liverpool man this term.

Carroll is believed to have tweaked a muscle in the upper half of his body late in the build-up to the game with City and is classed as extremely doubtful.