Andy Carroll has agreed a pay as you play deal in order to make an emotional return to Newcastle United.
The paperwork for the deal is yet to be signed but Carroll is hoping to leave St James' Park today as a Magpies player again.
Eight years and six months on after leaving the Magpies to join Liverpool in a £35million deal, Carroll is keen to sign an initial one-year deal after being released by West Ham on a free transfer.
The former number 9 has had to undergo fitness checks but Newcastle now seem happy with the situation and he is set to start the season in Steve Bruce's 25-man squad.
The idea of Carroll was initially put to Bruce just days after he agreed to become Newcastle's head coach and he did not hesitate to give the green light in order to make it happen.
Carroll has never given up his dream of returning to St James' Park after Newcastle twice pulled out of deals for him during his time at Anfield as they felt the price was too high.
But his second coming at United is a low risk deal.
Carroll has agreed a pay cut to end his top-flight career back on Tyneside and is prepared to fight for his place.
However, Bruce is hoping he can get 15 to 20 games out of Carroll if he can get his match fitness back on track.
Carroll is believed to be heading north this afternoon to get the deal done and start a fresh chapter in his career. Follow the latest in our transfer deadline day live blog.
