The 24-year-old appears to be out of favour at Anfield and Willie Duncan believes that a return to St James’ Park in the summer may be on the cards for the Liverpool striker

As the end of the Premier League season approaches, football fans the length and breadth of the country will be studying the gossip columns carefully as they try to find out information on which players are being linked with a move to their club.

One player who seems certain to be subject of such speculation is Andy Carroll. The 24-year-old striker, currently on loan at West Ham United, will return to Liverpool this summer.

However, it seems unlikely that the former Newcastle United frontman is going to feature in manager Brendan Rodgers’ plans for Liverpool as the Northern Irishman looks to revitalise the Reds following another mediocre campaign for the Anfield club.

With Carroll seemingly out of favour at Anfield, it seems likely that the striker who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for £35 million in 2011 may well be on the move once again.

The Magpies secured their Premier League status with a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday afternoon, are rated as even money (2.0) chances with Coral to bring Carroll back to St James’ Park.

Such a move would certainly benefit Alan Pardew’s men who have been left somewhat short of striking options since Senegalese star Demba Ba joined Chelsea in January.

West Ham United are chalked up at 11/4 (3.75) with Coral to retain Carroll’s services on a permanent basis following a loan spell which has seen the 24-year-old striker score seven goals in 23 appearances for the Hammers this term.

The betting market indicates that a return to St James’ Park or a permanent deal at Upton Park are the only realistic options open to Carroll at this time with a move to Stoke City chalked up as a 12/1 (13.0) chance with Coral while the same firm go 16/1 (17.0) that the striker signs for Tottenham Hotspur.

Aston Villa may find it necessary to replace top scorer Christian Benteke should the Belgium international move on in the summer and Paul Lambert’s side are rated as a 25/1 (26.0) chance to secure Carroll’s signature. The market is completed by newly-promoted Cardiff City – a 33/1 (34.0) shot to sign the 24-year-old.

However, speculation at the weekend suggested that Carroll’s preference is for a return to St James’ Park.

Should Carroll rejoin the Magpies, it is a move which is likely to prove beneficial to all parties concerned and, therefore, the even money (2.0) quote from Coral for Newcastle United to be Andy Carroll’s next permanent club is the recommended play for punters here.

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Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter