Carroll earns England recall

England manager Roy Hodgson recalled Andy Carroll to his squad yesterday for friendlies against Ireland and Brazil after the striker’s recent good club form.

The 24-year-old, who has not been involved in the national set-up since October’s World Cup qualifier in Poland when he was an unused substitute, has recently scored four goals in six games for West Ham where he is on loan from Liverpool.

“In a squad of players you need various qualities,” Hodgson told a news conference after announcing a 22-man squad for the May 29 match against Ireland at Wembley and June 2 game in Rio de Janeiro.

“For a long time we didn’t consider Andy Carroll because he was injured but since he’s come back from injury he has been in our thoughts and he is the type of player who gives us another dimension.”

As Hodgson prepared for life without newly retired defenders John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, he also needed to find a stand-in captain for these games in the absence of Steven Gerrard who has undergone shoulder surgery.

“Lampard and Rooney are the sort of captains elect but I did mention to a group of journalists...that obviously I will speak to Ashley Cole, he’s receiving his 100th cap,” Hodgson said.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: B. Foster (WBA), J. Hart (Man. City), A. McCarthy (Reading).

Defender: L. Baines (Everton), G. Cahill, A. Cole (both Chelsea), P. Jagielka (Everton), G. Johnson (Liver-pool), P. Jones (Man. United), J. Lescott (Man. City), K. Walker (Tottenham).

Midfielders: M. Carrick, T. Cleverley (both Man. United), F. Lampard (Chelsea), J. Milner (Man. City), A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, T. Walcott (both Arsenal).

Strikers: A. Carroll (West Ham), J. Defoe (Tottenham), W. Rooney (Man. United), D. Sturridge (Liverpool), D. Welbeck (Man. United).