Those qualities drew generous praise from Hughton, who clearly sees in the Gateshead-born frontman a worthy inheritor of the number nine shirt once worn by club legends such as Jackie Milburn and Alan Shearer.

BBC: Chris Hughton talks up Andy Carroll's England claims

As health secretary, Alan Milburn consistently rejected calls from the BMA to reopen talks on the contract.

BBC: Consultants back strike ballot

Instead, the health department goes to Alan Milburn, formerly the Treasury minister in charge of controlling public spending.

ECONOMIST: The cabinet reshuffle