Carroll spearheads England against France

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll was handed his first international cap as England manager Fabio Capello named a new-look starting XI for Wednesday’s friendly international against France at Wembley.

Carroll, 21, was named as the lone striker as Capello also handed a debut to Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson, expected to be deployed in a deep midfield role alongside Manchester City’s Gareth Barry.

Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs replaces injured Chelsea star Ashley Cole, while goalkeeper Ben Foster comes in for Joe Hart, who picked up a back injury in training on Tuesday.

Theo Walcott and James Milner also return to the starting line-up after missing last month’s qualifier against Montenegro through injury and suspension respectively.

France coach Laurent Blanc opted to hand the captaincy to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, with regular skipper Alou Diarra, who is currently serving a six-match domestic suspension for pushing a referee, on the bench.

Barcelona’s Eric Abidal comes in for Gael Clichy at left-back to make his first appearance since the World Cup, with Yoann Gourcuff and Samir Nasri associated together in an attacking midfield.

England: Foster, Jagielka, Gibbs, Gerrard, Ferdinand (capt), Lescott, Walcott, Henderson, Carroll, Barry, Milner

France: Lloris (capt), Sagna, Mexes, Rami, Abidal, Nasri, M’Vila, Gourcuff, Valbuena, Benzema, Malouda