By Craig Hope

WITH a return of four goals from as many matches, Geordie ace Andy Carroll believes that he is starting to show the sort of form which had led many to predict he would be a leading light for The Magpies this season.

A disjointed 2009 had seen the Gateshead-born striker dip in and out of form for Chris Hughton's promotion hopefuls, but it has been a different story for the towering frontman since the turn of the year.

Carroll has started the last four matches for United and has responded with a pair of double strikes, his latest brace coming in Friday's 5-1 thumping of Cardiff City at Gallowgate.

Next up is Tuesday's trip to Derby County for the league leaders, and Carroll is confident that he can further add to his eight-goal tally at Pride Park.

"If I play week in week out then I will score goals," asserted the in-form 21-year-old.

"I have shown that recently with four goals from four games.

"All I want to do is to keep playing and keep scoring.

"I got good service against Cardiff and I'm confident that if I get those chances then I will score goals.

"I have shown that at times this season but I feel I'm at my best now because I'm getting a run in the team."

And, when asked if the influx of fresh blood had served as something of a wake-up call for the United players, Carroll said: "There has always been competition this season.

"We've had four strikers plus Kevin Nolan trying to win two places. Now we have Leon Best as another striker and there are six of us.

"But we enjoy that competition and you can see in training that you're trying your best to make sure it's you who wins a start."

United take on The Rams with a three-point cushion at the top of the Championship, but Carroll hopes to extend that lead during a hectic February.

"We have a lot of games coming up," he added, "We've had a great start with Cardiff but now we have to kick on.

"We have been pushing for a bit of a gap at the top but we can only affect our own results.

"We need to start getting back-to-back wins like we did earlier in the season and that starts with a win at Derby on Tuesday."