Andy Carroll: family desperate for him to find a club after he left Newcastle

Free agent Andy Carroll insists he is still desperate to find a new club following his release from Newcastle in the summer.

The 32-year-old, who 10 years ago was the most expensive British footballer ever following his £35m move to Liverpool from St James' Park, struggled for minutes under Steve Bruce last season and his contract at his hometown wasn't renewed.

But, in an interview with Alan Shearer for The Athletic, while he did admit he thought he'd finish his career at Newcastle, the forward was disappointed with simply his lack of opportunities under the Magpies boss.

'I thought I was going to be finishing at Newcastle,' he said. 'I thought that was going to be me for the next four or five years. It didn't happen and it didn't happen for many reasons… to be honest, it was really hard for me, not playing when I thought I could have made a difference.

'There's still unfinished business. I didn't really get a run out at Newcastle. I was in, I was out, I was in again. And I was fit all season. The stats say that for 43 games, I was available for 40 of them. I was training every day; I think I was in the top four in training throughout the year.

'I could have played more last season, I could be playing there this season. I'm not saying I should be playing every week, but I think I've still got something to give, to be part of Newcastle or any club... I didn't play as much as I wanted and I wasn't even involved in as many games as I wanted, which is disappointing, especially with all the injuries I've had over the years.'

Carroll, who currently lives with his family in Essex, is keen to be able to commute to his next club and has had offers on the table.

He has no intention of retiring yet and is willing to commit to a team which is convenient for his family, with Reading an option in the summer.

'The league (a club is in) doesn't really bother me as long as the club is right for me and them, that's what's important,' he says.

'Not knowing where you're going to end up is the toughest thing. I could end up at Reading, I could end up back at Newcastle, I could end up in Turkey or the United States or wherever, and it's just that unknown.

'The kids still think I'm going to sign for Man City or Barcelona, which we all know is not going to happen, but they're still pushing me on to get a club and it's what I want to do. I want to play in front of my family and win games. My drive and my passion hasn't faded away in the slightest.'

Carroll scored just once in 43 appearances during his second stint with Newcastle and appeared 18 times in the Premier League last season.