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Carroll hails Shearer's influence

Andy Carroll has five England U21 caps © Getty Images

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As he prepares to make his England debut on Wednesday evening, Newcastle striker Andy Carroll has spoken of his admiration for his predecessor in the No. 9 shirt for both club and country, Alan Shearer.

Carroll has been told he will start Wednesday's friendly against France at Wembley, completing an impressive rise this season that has seen him score seven Premier League goals following Newcastle's promotion.

As a Tyneside native, it comes as no surprise that Carroll emulates Shearer, who scored a club record 206 goals for the Magpies. Carroll also played for Shearer during the latter's brief spell as manager towards the end of the 2008-09 season and says he has learned a lot from the man who also scored 30 international goals.

"Alan Shearer was my hero - I watched him play for Newcastle and wanted to be like him," Carroll told The Sun. "He was strong, held the ball up well against defenders, was good in the air and on the ground. He had the all-round game as a striker and that's how I want to be.

"When he was my manager for a short time, he was always encouraging me. He used to do some individual sessions with me and you can't hope for a much better teacher. He gave me a lot of belief that I could do well in this game. I'd love to be as good as he was but, if I can achieve half of what he did, I won't be doing too badly either."

Though Carroll has been struggling with injury in the build-up to the France tie - with reports suggesting Newcastle have asked England not to play the striker - Carroll is desperate to demonstrate his potential at Wembley.

"I want to show the England manager and fans what I can do," Carroll said. "I'm confident in my ability to score at international level. There were questions about whether I could make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League but I've done that and, now, I've got the chance to do it for England.

"Being centre-forward for Newcastle was something I always dreamed of but to be England's No. 9 would be special. As a kid, it's what you wish for. Chris Hughton, my manager, and all the lads at Newcastle are the ones who have helped make this possible. We have a really good, tight-knit group and they were delighted when I made the squad."

Fabio Capello revealed on Tuesday he would have called on Carroll earlier but the striker's well publicised off the field problems forced him to reconsider. Shearer, though, believes the striker's form on the pitch is all-important.

"You have to judge these guys on what they do on the football pitch," Shearer said. "They are young guys with a lot of money and are going to have scrapes. We all make mistakes but you have to learn from them.

"Andy is something very different. He is big and strong and will hold the ball up. If you want to have a Plan B and want to go long, then there is nobody better than him."

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