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Newcastle warn FA over Carroll

Andy Carroll took part in an England training session at Wembley on Tuesday © Getty Images

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Newcastle are on collision course with the Football Association, with the Magpies of the opinion that Andy Carroll is not fit to start England's friendly with France on Wednesday.

Carroll reported for England training on Monday nursing a groin complaint and Newcastle expected the forward to be assessed before being sent back to St James' Park. However, he took part in training on Tuesday and was subsequently declared fit to start the game by coach Fabio Capello.

"He is OK, he is fit, he will play tomorrow," Capello said. The Italian's comments have not met with favour at Newcastle, with the club reportedly urging the FA to take a cautious approach with regard to Carroll's participation against France at Wembley.

Newcastle's fear is that should Carroll, who is desperate to make his international debut, aggravate the problem he will be forced out of the league game with Bolton at the weekend.

An FA source told ESPNsoccernet: "The player has been assessed and treated as much as he can be, and yesterday [Tuesday] the England manager announced he would be playing, which caused some concern at Newcastle, who sent an email to the FA expressing their concerns.

"Our answer has been that the scan showed the all-clear, no problems, but of course, he will now have a final assessment after training today and if he feels stiff or any reaction, there will be no risk taken. As it is a friendly, he won't play.

"It will be up to the player to inform us how he feels. If he is fine, he will play, if not, he won't. There is no way the England camp wish to jeopardise the player turning out for Newcastle at the weekend. So, it is now really about how he feels. There is no question, as this is a friendly, of trying to force him to play. It will be a pleasure for the England camp and the manager if he is able to, but no risk will be taken with the player."

Capello has made it clear that he sees the game with France as the ideal opportunity to take a look at some youngsters, meaning Kieran Gibbs and Jordan Henderson will start.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.