Hart out, Carroll in doubt for England

Despite Carroll’s club Newcastle United requesting that he should not be involved due to a groin injury sustained in Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham in the English Premier League, the striker trained well on Tuesday.

After training, national team manager Fabio Capello announced the lanky striker would start on Wednesday night against 2000 European champions France at Wembley.

But Newcastle have reportedly made a request to The Football Association (FA), asking for the striker -?scorer of seven?Premier League goals this season -?to be withdrawn from the squad.

The Tyneside club believe Carroll is not fit enough and originally considered him in doubt for Saturday’s trip to the Reebok Stadium to face Bolton.

On Tuesday, Capello spoke of the striker’s need to stay with the squad.

“He’s a good player and I think he will understand, to stay with the senior (squad) will be really important for him because all the people, the newspapers, journalists will be focused on his life,” Capello said.

The Italian also spoke of the need to help young players like Carroll who have made mistakes away from the football pitch, referring to Carroll’s list of indiscretions that includes a series of alleged assault charges.

Injury continues to play havoc with Capello’s initial 23-man squad, with first-choice goalkeeper Hart also ruled out.

Hart suffered a back spasm in Tuesday’s training session and was sent back to Premier League club Manchester City for treatment.

Birmingham City’s Ben Foster, also picked in the initial squad, is expected to start for Capello’s side and will win his fifth cap.

Watford shot-stopped Scott Loach has been called up to replace Hart, while Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka has remained with the squad despite missing Tuesday’s session with a virus.