England ready to include Andy Carroll in squad

Oct 1 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United striker Andy Carroll will be named in the England squad for the first time on Monday.

The Gateshead-born forward was left out of the under-21 squad yesterday and The Journal understands he is in line for inclusion in the seniors – barring an injury against Manchester City on Sunday.

Following in the footsteps of his idol Alan Shearer into the Three Lions set-up will cap a fantastic year for the Newcastle striker, who has been one of the form players so far this season.

Fabio Capello has long been an admirer of Carroll and put him on standby for the World Cup squad in the summer before whittling his long list of around 50 players down to the provisional squad.

And his fine performances this season – allied to injuries to some of his established strikers – have persuaded the England manager that Carroll is worthy of inclusion in the squad to face Montenegro at Wembley on October 12.

Stuart Pearce had wanted to name Carroll in the under-21 squad that will compete in a European Championships qualifier with Romania but was informed by the senior management earlier this week that they wanted to take a closer look at the Newcastle number nine.

Although not having him for those crunch games will weaken Pearce’s hand, he has been a champion of Carroll’s cause and will be delighted to see him among the senior ranks. The big forward has scored twice in five games since being handed his first under-21 call-up in August 2009.

Carroll has timed his rise to prominence perfectly. The England boss will be without Bobby Zamora and Spurs striker Jermain Defoe through injury while doubts cloud the inclusion of Wayne Rooney, who is struggling with an ankle injury.

Capello believes that a target man brings out the best in Rooney and was hoping that Zamora would be the answer on the road to Euro 2012. But his serious injury has left the door open for Carroll – who may even get minutes on the pitch alongside Sunderland striker Darren Bent in the Montenegro clash.