Newcastle United are contemplating bringing striker Andy Carroll back home as they close in on the £35m capture of Hoffenheim's Brazilian striker Joelinton.

The club are already in touch with the Carroll camp following his release by West Ham and will keep a close eye on his recovery from ankle surgery before deciding whether to sign him as a free agent.

Newcastle are still hoping to complete a club record deal for Joelinton, with the German club revealing over the weekend that talks are in the "home straight."

Carroll, meanwhile, is not a priority for new manager Steve Bruce, who privately wants at least two strikers, a winger, a full-back and a central midfield player before the close of the transfer window.

Whether he can bring in as many as that before the August 8 deadline remains to be seen, but has told managing director Lee Charnley that the signing of attacking players must be the priority given the gaping holes in the squad.

Bruce prefers to work with a relatively small squad , but he knows he will be in trouble if he is left without two centre forward signings. Newcastle have lost Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez this summer, as well as back up forward Joselu, and Bruce said it “does not take a brain surgeon to work out where we are light.”

Hoffenheim a £35m bid from the Magpies for Joelinton earlier in the week, but they have not been able to announce it over the weekend as planned.

Steve Bruce wants to strengthen his Newcastle squad credit: Getty Images

Carroll would be an additional transfer outside of the window as he is allowed to find a new club as a free agent. However, it will still be several weeks until the 30-year-old is able to train fully and Bruce wants two strikers brought in before then.

Carroll has had a persistent battle with injuries and has undergone a complicated procedure to try and solve a long-standing ankle issue. Newcastle will keep tabs on his rehabilitation and could look at thrashing out a pay as you play deal for the Geordie striker.

Bruce would like to see a fit Carroll back at the club that launched his career, an excellent 18 months for the Magpies earning him a then British record £35m move to Liverpool in January 2011.

If he can finally put his injury problems behind him, Carroll would be an excellent signing for almost any club outside of the top six, but his fitness problems at West Ham have put off other teams.

Carroll has been linked with a return to St James’ Park regularly since he left eight years ago, but this would appear to be the strongest indication yet that he will head back to the North East.

An excellent 18 months for Newcastle earned Carroll a then British record £35m move to Liverpool in January 2011. credit: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Jonjo Shelvey thinks he could benefit from Steve Bruce's appointment.

“I think the change of manager could be a good thing. For me personally, I probably needed that change and trying to get into Steve’s plans,” he told Sky Sports.

“I understand the fans are disappointed. We had three great seasons under Rafa but it wasn’t to be and I think we’ve all got to move on. If we put in performances like that, week in and week out in the Premier League they can have no problem with it.

“Steve is a lot different to Rafa. You never knew what Rafa was thinking. His record speaks for itself and he probably didn’t need to talk to you and tell you what he’s thinking but personally as a player I’d rather have someone who talks to you and you know what he’s thinking. That’s not knocking Rafa because he was a terrific, terrific manager but for me personally (it’s better).

“Rafa’s gone now and the club has moved on and everyone as a whole – the press included – need to move on and give this man some time.”