• England news

Hodgson plays down Carroll fears

ESPN staff
October 4, 2012
Andy Carroll is on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury © Getty Images
Enlarge

Roy Hodgson insists he has no concerns over the fitness of Andy Carroll after naming the West Ham striker in his England squad.

Carroll made a late substitute's appearance in the Hammers' 2-1 win over QPR on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury.

And Hodgson, who announced his squad for next week's World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland, believes Carroll will be back to full fitness by the time England meet San Marino at Wembley on October 12.

"Andy played 23 minutes including injury-time on Monday and I am expecting him to play more minutes on Saturday against Arsenal, either from the start or coming on," Hodgson said.

"He has another week after that so I don't think there is any reason for me to question his fitness."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close