ALAN PARDEW thinks Andy Carroll will play for Newcastle United again one day – even if the move to St James’ Park does not materialise during the next transfer window.

Carroll returned to action in a West Ham shirt this month after overcoming the ankle trouble picked up during the summer and is set to face his boyhood club tomorrow.

The 25-year-old is still admired by Pardew and he will be making sure his defenders are well prepared to deal with the threat of the England man at Upton Park.

And the Newcastle boss thinks it is merely a matter of time before Carroll – who has played down such a move in the recent past – is back wearing a black and white shirt.

"I think he would (want to come back to Newcastle in the future), and I hope he does come back to his home town,” said Pardew. “He has got that love here. I really enjoyed working with Andy.

“I think he's a terrific player. I know we get linked with him every two weeks, which is always probably going to happen whether it's me or another manager.

"So I'm not going to hide from the fact that I like him. I think he's a good player. I'm pleased that he's fit and not injured, as that's been his biggest problem since he left us.

“I'm not sure that it's something that's imminent for us in this window, because he looks fairly happy to me at West Ham. I think it's difficult to take players who are happy out of Premier League teams. It's financially difficult.”

Despite his long lay-off, Carroll has returned to action with a bang and last weekend he won more aerial duels in a Premier League game than any other player this season against Everton. Sam Allardyce, the Hammers boss, thinks he should be more careful in his approach given his injury problems.

Pardew said: “I think Sam was right in his assessment of Andy. He's now worked with Andy for a while. He's sometimes too brave for his own good. He's going full-hearted for challenges when he's off-balance.

"He does that in training as well as in games, so, of course, when you're in a rehab situation he's over-zealous at times purely because he's got that good, football aggression. But I don't think there's anything structurally wrong with him - or a major issue. He's just that type. Duncan Ferguson used to get a lot of injuries. It comes with that role.”

Pardew never really wanted to lose Carroll but accepted he had little choice in the January transfer window of 2011 after Liverpool offered the astronomical £35m fee for the young striker. The Anfield switch never really worked out for him and he joined West Ham in the summer of last year.

"I think the Liverpool thing, for me, was a strange one. Big Andy's style was against the way they play,” said Pardew. "He's much more suited to West Ham. I think he's been a big success at West Ham, I really do. Actually, if you speak to any West Ham fans, they'll tell you that.

"The only problem is getting him on the pitch - that's been his biggest issue. If he can have a run, there's no problem with it. He's not just a target man, he's a good footballer and a real presence of the pitch that can win games.”

If Carroll does start for West Ham he is unlikely to come up against Fabricio Coloccini, who was a key team-mate in Newcastle’s Championship winning team in 2010.

The Argentine has, though, returned to training, along with winger Rolando Aarons, following a calf problem but is unlikely to be risked at this stage.

Pardew said: “Colo is running around and so is Rolando, it’s good to see. Steven Taylor, Cheik Tiote, Emmanuel Riviere as well, and a good proportion of those could be included at West Ham. Mehdi Abeid is out, he’s not comfortable.

“Papiss Cisse is much improved too (after knee trouble). I’m really pleased he’s had a good week. He looks like he’s got more agility in his movement.”