England boss Roy Hodgson has revealed Brendan Rodgers gave the official seal of approval for Andy Carroll to face Italy on Wednesday.

Carroll’s Liverpool future is open to question following Rodgers’s arrival at Anfield.

He did not play in either leg of Liverpool’s Europa League triumph over FC Gomel and while Rodgers insists the 23-year-old has a role to play, it is not easy to see how the striker fits into the style likely to be in use this term.

Nevertheless, when Hodgson rang Rodgers to check on Carroll’s fitness, he got a glowing response.

“I checked Andy out with Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard because I realise there is a situation there,” said Hodgson.

“They were both happy with Andy in training and the way he is going about his business.”

Having impressed during Euro 2012, Hodgson felt Carroll deserved to keep his place, especially as Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck are out.

“We have to accept that a lot of our front players aren’t first choices at their clubs,” said Hodgson.

“There are a lot of foreign centre-forwards at the big clubs in the Premier League so it’s not easy for our boys sometimes.

“But Andy did well when he played in the Euros and I have no worries putting him in this squad.”