Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has not travelled for the club's Europa League qualifier against FC Gomel as his future at Anfield continues to be shrouded in uncertainty.

Both Newcastle United and West Ham United have expressed an interest in signing Carroll this summer, after a difficult 18-month Reds career for the England international.

While Carroll would not be cup tied should he feature in the Europa league qualifying round, with Uefa rules stating he can feature in the group phase for a different club, his omission from the flight to Belarus after being originally named in the squad adds to the confusion over his immediate future.

Andy Carroll
Carroll will miss the first leg of the Europa League against FC Gomel.

The 23 year old netted nine goals in his first full season for Liverpool last term, including in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, but his failure to gel with Luis Suarez contributed to an eighth place finish in the Premier League and the subsequent sacking of Kenny Dalglish.

New manager Brendan Rodgers brings with him a footballing philosophy based on accurate passing, and Carroll's 6ft 3in frame is expected to conflict with the Northern Irishman's style, which saw him win plaudits last season after guiding Swansea City to 11<sup>th place domestically.

Rodgers wasted no time in recalling Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani from loan spells last season, while allowing Dirk Kuyt to leave for Turkish giants Fenerbache.

And his feelings on Carroll having been similarly direct, admitting he would consider allowing the striker to leave the club.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew and West Ham co-owner David Gold have both revealed their interest in signing Carroll, who scored his first competitive goal for England at Euro 2012 against Sweden in Donetsk.

Carroll left St James' Park for Merseyside in controversial circumstances in January 2011, after scoring 11 goals for the Magpies during the first half of the 2010/11 campaign.

However, injuries and loss of form has seen his 18-month career at Liverpool fail to get off the ground, despite a healthy amount of opportunities following Luis Suarez's eight match ban for racial abuse.

New signing Fabio Borini is expected to lead the line for Liverpool in their first competitive fixture of the season against Gomel, following his move from Roma this summer.

Gold