ANDY Carroll will link up with the Liverpool squad in Boston today as Newcastle United play a waiting game in pursuit of their former striker.

While there is understood to have been further contact between Newcastle and Liverpool officials in the wake of last weekend's failed approach for Carroll, the Magpies have refused to increase their initial offer.

Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias has offered to take Carroll on a season-long loan with a view to a £12m permanent transfer next summer, but his approach was immediately rejected by the Anfield hierarchy.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers continues to insist that Carroll will not be leaving on loan, but Llambias, who is reluctant to offer a permanent transfer at this stage, is biding his time as he ponders a renewed approach.

The next few days could be crucial as Rodgers will attempt to reintegrate Carroll into his first-team squad despite having admitted that the Gateshead-born forward does not form a key part of his plans for next season.

Carroll was granted an extended break after playing for England in the European Championships, but is due to link up with his club-mates today along with fellow international Steven Gerrard.

He has told friends he would relish a short-term switch back to St James' Park, but his £80,000-a-week wages would present a major obstacle to such a deal.

Newcastle are expected to sign a striker, centre-half and full-back before the end of the transfer window, but it remains to be seen whether Douglas is one of the players moving to Tyneside.

Twente rejected United's £3.1m offer for the Brazil-born defender, but given that the Dutch club are only demanding £5m, there would appear to be every chance of a compromise.

However, the extent of Douglas' desire to join Newcastle remains uncertain, as complications over his citizenship status mean he will have to stay in Holland until the end of next month if he wants to play for the Dutch national side in the future.

FC Twente chairman Joop Munsterman said: "It is unclear what Newcastle United and Douglas want exactly. Douglas says he wants to leave one week and the next week he wants to stay."

Newcastle completed their pre-season tour of Germany and Austria with a 1-1 draw with Turkish side Fenerbahce on Saturday evening.

With skipper Fabricio Coloccini making his first pre-season start, there was little to choose between the two sides in a largely uneventful first half.

Newcastle took the lead in the 76th minute when substitute Mehdi Abeid displayed impressive close control as he received the ball from Sammy Ameobi and slotted past Fenerbahce goalkeeper Mert Gunok.

However, their Turkish opponents equalised in stoppage time as Cristian Baroni beat Rob Elliot with a low strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Newcastle: Elliot, Simpson (Santon 68), Tavernier, Coloccini, R Taylor, Tiote (Bigirimana 59), Gosling (Abeid 73), Obertan (Shola Ameobi 75), Marveaux (Gutierrez 59), Vuckic (Sammy Ameobi 46), Ba (Cisse 68).