ANDY CARROLL has thanked Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton for standing by him despite the off-field problems that have plagued him throughout the current campaign.

Carroll has emerged as one of the stars of Newcastle’s Championship-winning season, scoring 17 league goals to help his side bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

His performances have improved as the season has worn on, despite an escalation of his off-field concerns following an alleged incident in Newcastle’s Bigg Market last September.

Carroll is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court today to attend a committal hearing into a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, having already attended an earlier hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court in February.

The striker is unable to discuss the details of the case, but is nevertheless grateful for the support he has received from his manager and team-mates in recent months.

“It’s been a great season,”

said Carroll, who has scored in each of Newcastle’s last three matches. “Obviously, I’ve had problems on and off the field this season, but the lads have got round me.

“Chris and Colin (Calderwood) have been great with me, they’ve helped me along and looked after me.

“I owe a lot to Chris. He stuck by me through everything and I hope I’ve repaid him with goals and performances.

I think the whole of the team felt like they owed him and we’ve managed to do it by winning the title.”

Carroll was at the forefront of celebrations last Saturday as Newcastle’s players lifted the Championship trophy following their final home game of the season against Ipswich.

The Gateshead-born striker was a peripheral figure last season, making only five Premier League starts as the Magpies relinquished their top-flight status.

Carroll said: “It was a great feeling to achieve everything we have this season,” he said.

“To finish it unbeaten at home, with a league winner’s medal and back in the Premier League is just special.

“Lifting the trophy in front of a full house at St James’ Park – that will live with me for the rest of my life. The fans joining in with the celebrations, it just makes it all worthwhile.

“My brothers, my mum and my dad and my girlfriend were all in the stands watching me. It was everyone who means something to me, and I was just proud to be able to do it for them. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to my family – it was a great day.”

Carroll is likely to start as Newcastle play their final game of the season at QPR on Sunday, but Hughton has revealed Steve Harper will be rested for at least part of the game at Loftus Road.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper has started all of the Magpies’ 45 league games to this point, but second-choice Tim Krul will replace him at some stage in the game.

However, Hughton will resist the temptation to play a large number of his side’s youngsters as he attempts to guide Newcastle through the 100-point barrier.

“Tim will certainly play a part,” said the United boss. “It is an opportunity for him, but I think out of all the youngsters he will be the only one.

“We’ve been big enough and fit enough all season to manoeuvre the squad and get through it. The team we play will be a team picked to win the game.”

Hughton has also dismissed speculation linking highlyrated youngster Haris Vuckic with a possible move to Chelsea.

Chelsea sent their northern scout Pop Robson to watch Vuckic in action for Newcastle reserves on Tuesday evening but, with the 17-yearold contracted until 2011, Hughton insists there is no chance of him leaving Tyneside.

“Haris is not going anywhere,”

he said. “He’s rated very highly here and is a big part of the future.

“You get used to speculation when talking about good players, but he’s a Newcastle player and will be for a long time. We’re aware of everything going on, but he is a player who likes it at the club and is well thought of here.”