Andy Carroll insists that he is building up to his first start for Newcastle United and knows he will have to earn the right to be in the opening line-up.
The good news is that Carroll has not suffered any negative reaction to what proved to be a near 15 minutes run out against Brighton at the weekend - and that he is now aiming to be back on the bench for the clash at the King Power Stadium this Sunday.
Steve Bruce admitted that Carroll's return to action provided the home crowd with a big boost in the dire 0-0 stalemate with the Seagulls.
Now Carroll is looking to add to it this weekend, he told Chronicle Live: "I am hoping for more minutes against Leicester. I am training every day now.
"But the lads have been playing well, so I don't think too much about it.
"I will just see where it goes from here. I was happy to get 10 minutes against Brighton and to get the reception that I did."
Reflecting on Carroll's first appearance for the Magpies since 2010, Bruce said: "The roar was what everybody needed.
"And to see the signing as well.
"We know that the crowd will always go with their team.
"We now have to give them something to shout about.
"In the second half we did.
"But there's no doubt the crowd will always get behind them."
