Jim Magilton will look to sign Newcastle United frontman Andy Carroll in January, according to one of this morning's tabloids. Carroll, 19, has repeatedly been linked with the Blues over the last couple of seasons.

Town are claimed to be ready to offer £1.5 million for the 6ft 3in tall striker, who has made just three sub appearances for the Magpies this season.

Carroll, a former England U19 international, spent the first half of last season on loan at Preston, where he scored just once in seven starts and five sub appearances. For Newcastle, he has started just the one match and has played 15 games from the bench but is yet to score for his local club.

The 6ft 3in tall target man carried off the Wor Jackie Milburn Trophy in 2007, an award given to the North-East's most promising young player and big things are expected of him on Tyneside.

Gateshead-born Carroll, who qualifies for both England and Scotland, is contracted at St James' Park until 2011. Town coach Charlie Woods will know him well from his time working alongside Sir Bobby Robson in the North-East.

Meanwhile, former Blue Hermann Hreidarsson has confirmed to the Icelandic press that he will be leaving Portsmouth in January.

Hreidarsson, now 34, was linked with a return to Town in November, with boss Jim Magilton subsequently admitting he might be interested in signing his former team-mate.

Hreidarsson confirmed that he is leaving Pompey and says he is in talks with a number of clubs: "Nothing has changed. I want to leave Portsmouth and the club knows my position and I know they will not make it difficult for me to leave.

"I have been in contact with a few clubs and I fully expect to be at another club come the end of next month. Nothing is concrete yet but hopefully things will get clearer very soon."

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