Allardyce: Carroll and Nolan never wanted to leave Newcastle

Carroll departed St James’ Park for Anfield in an ill-fated, record-breaking £35million deal in January 2011, while Nolan followed him through the exit door six months later when he teamed up with Allardyce for the third time in his career at newly relegated West Ham.

Former Newcastle boss Allardyce, meanwhile, left the Magpies after just seven months in charge in early 2008.

But despite the 58-year-old’s acrimonious departure from the club, he insists the Newcastle connection is much more significant for Carroll and Nolan.

“It’s important for Kevin and Andy to go and give a good performance,” he said.

“Those two players served Newcastle brilliantly before they left, they were two outstanding players for that club and they will obviously want to do well.

“I don’t suppose either of them really wanted to leave,” he continued.

“It was [down to] circumstances that they both left, not the fact that they really wanted to.”

The duo will go head to head with their former club at St James’ Park on Sunday and Allardyce was coy when asked how he expects them to be received by the Newcastle crowd.

“I don’t really know,” he said. “I suppose it’s up to the Newcastle to decide whether they should appreciate what they did for Newcastle before they left.”