Carroll has scored four times for Newcastle this season

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has praised striker Andy Carroll for his recent attitude and application.

The 20-year-old set up both of United's goals in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Barnsley, having been absent from the side in the previous game at Coventry.

"He's a wholehearted player, a player of quality and very good in the air," Hughton told BBC Newcastle.

"He is a lad who's still developing his game and I'm sure we'll see him improving even more so."

The Magpies' seven-match winning run came to an end with the draw at Oakwell, but they are now unbeaten in their last eight league games.

Hughton says it is important United get back to winning ways against Middlesbrough in the Tyne-Tees derby on Sunday.

"Irrespective of the fact we were 2-1 up in the game, we'll hopefully look back on Barnsley and see it as a good draw.

"It's very disappointing, but we knew that run would come to an end at some stage.

"For us at this moment, it's about how we react to it and there's certainly a massive game for us at the weekend."

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