'I find it Astonishing' - Exclusive: Danny Mills stunned as Newcastle offer new contract
Danny Mills is astonished that Andy Carroll is set to be offered a new contract by Newcastle United after another season blighted by injury.
The former Leeds United and Manchester City right-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, suggested that the 31-year-old has "got lucky" due to the uncertainty surrounding the transfer market amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Football Insider revealed last weekend that Carroll has reached a verbal agreement with the club on a deal that runs until the end of the season and, in addition, he is in line for a new 12-month contract offer.
Carroll is willing to accept another pay-as-you-play deal to extend his second spell at his boyhood club - his current contract expires on the 30th of this month.
Mills suspected the Magpies are keen to extend his agreement as it would be more costly to find a replacement this summer.
"I find it almost astonishing," he told Football Insider.
"Maybe he has got lucky because of the coronavirus situation.
"The club might know that they cannot get too many players in. It might be a case of sticking with what you have for now.
"He is a good professional but he has just been injured too much.
"But he is not going to cost them that much and it would cost more and be more hassle to get somebody else in.
"At this stage we do not know what is going to happen to the transfer market so they have favoured keeping him on for another year."
The English striker is yet to score in 14 appearances this season but has contributed four assists.
Despite being injured for much of the season, Carroll is fit and ready to return for Steve Bruce's side when they get their season back underway against Sheffield United on Sunday.