Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes Andy Carroll has all the hallmarks of a future Newcastle United and England hero, claiming the towering St James’ Park frontman could be every bit as good as his Match of the Day colleague Alan Shearer.

Carroll has been likened to Everton icon Duncan Ferguson, but following the England Under-21 star’s dominate display against Arsenal yesterday, Hansen believes the emerging Premier League star is more like Shearer and has every chance of emulating him, as long as his well documented off-field problems are kept in check.

Hansen warns the youngster that the negative headlines regarding the Gateshead born star’s private life will eventually take its toll on the pitch and urges Carroll to sort himself out or risk jeopardising a potentially superb career.

The former Liverpool captain told the Daily Telegraph: “As for Carroll, he is somebody with a genuine chance of emulating Alan Shearer, but history tells you that guys who continually find themselves on the front pages never turn into anything.

“At 21, the Newcastle centre-forward is already an unbelievable handful and a nightmare proposition for any defender. But off the pitch, he needs to calm down and somebody needs to get a grip of him as it would be a huge shame if he allowed his talent to go to waste.

“Few footballers at Carroll’s age believe themselves to be anything but invincible and, on the pitch, you would want to him keep every bit of the fire and passion that he has shown for Newcastle this season.

“It is a different story off the pitch, though. Some players can handle off-field problems for a while without it affecting their game, but nobody is single-minded enough to blank it out forever.

“Finding yourself making headlines for all the wrong reasons will take its toll eventually, but if Carroll can put the negative press behind him, there is no denying that Newcastle and England have a massively exciting talent on their hands.

“Against Arsenal, when he scored his sixth league goal of the season, he ran tirelessly for his team and was a consistent threat.

“Shearer worked with Carroll during his spell in charge of Newcastle and he has since compared him to Duncan Ferguson.

“I can see where Alan is coming from, but I believe that Carroll is a better player than Duncan.

“In his prime, Duncan had all the attributes that Carroll possesses and he was seriously difficult to play against, so the similarities are obvious.

“But Carroll has a better left foot and he is still only 21. All that he lacks are the elements that come with time and experience - such as improving how he backs into defenders - but that raw talent is there and it is why he can be a superstar if he stays on the straight and narrow.

“If he learns to do the right things off the pitch, then he can be like Shearer at Newcastle. Alan’s feats in the Newcastle number nine shirt have made him a legend at St James’ Park, so emulating him is an incredibly difficult task for anybody.

“But Carroll has a chance and that is why it is so important that he makes the most of his ability and potential.

“England and Fabio Capello have been crying out for a player like Carroll and there is every chance he will called up for the friendly against France next week.

“Let’s just hope that he makes the most of what he has.”