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Carroll to start against France

ESPN staff
November 16, 2010
Andy Carroll trained with England on Tuesday © Getty Images
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Andy Carroll will make his England debut against France on Wednesday, Fabio Capello has confirmed.

The Newcastle striker will start alongside Jordan Henderson and Kieran Gibbs in a much-changed line-up missing key names such as John Terry, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney.

After firing in seven goals for the Magpies this season, Carroll staked his claim for an international call-up and was duly rewarded with his first call-up to Fabio Capello's squad on Saturday.

It looked like he could be denied the chance to line up against France after suffering a groin injury. But after sitting out the Three Lions' training session on Monday, he eased fears over his fitness when he trained with his England team-mates on Tuesday.

"He is OK, he is fit, he will play tomorrow," Capello said. "He will start with the first XI like Henderson and Gibbs. Three young players - it will be very interesting for me to see these players play against a really important team like France."

As well helping Newcastle break into the top half of the table, Carroll has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons this season. But although Capello insisted he was not concerned by the striker's private life, he warned Carroll that he would have to take greater care under the spotlight.

"I think he made a mistake during his life, but he was really young," Capello said. "I think everyone makes mistakes when they are young. He is a good player and I think he will understand that to stay with the seniors will be really important for him.

"Now all the people, the newspapers, the journalists will focus even more on his life. For this reason I think he will improve."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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