ANDY CARROLL will get his first England call-up against France next week - unless FA chiefs block it.
The giant Newcastle striker was watched by Three Lions boss Fabio Capello yesterday as he headed the shock winner at Arsenal.Capello is a big fan of 6ft 3in Carroll but the Italian is also well aware the young striker has been involved in a number of off-field misdemeanours in recent weeks.
Carroll, 21, is facing the threat of jail after ending up in court facing charges of causing actual bodily harm and this weekend was alleged to be involved in a drink and drugs scandal.
But Capello wants to look at Carroll in the friendly against the French at Wembley on November 17 and will consult with FA bosses.
Carroll was heavily tipped to feature in the last England squad - the Euro qualifier against Montenegro.
But he was omitted because he had failed to turn up for a medical assessment when selected for a previous Under-21 squad, angering coach Stuart Pearce.
He has been forgiven for that now and, with Capello keen to experiment against France, Carroll could start the match.
Toon boss Chris Hughton insisted: "There was never any question of not picking Andy today.
"I didn't talk to him about the headlines and he is not a difficult player to manage. He is mentally very strong."
Sunderland's Darren Bent will miss next week's clash with France as he has been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
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