Roy Hodgson has played down Andy Carroll’s chance of being selected for Euro 2016.
Carroll, 27, has managed to score two goals within nine England appearances, and seven league goals in 12 matches in senior football, but has not played for the national side since October 2012.
After Carroll scoring a hat-trick during his game against Arsenal, it prompted calls for the Ex-Newcastle player to make an international return to Euro 2016, suggesting Hodgson use his aerial threat as another option in attack.
But Hodgson was keen to put the rumours to rest, he said: “Every time someone scores a goal and he’s English it is ‘why is he not playing for England?’”
“I’m certainly not going to pick him on the basis that he scored a hat-trick so therefore has to be in the team.”
While he is always open to giving different players a chance, Hodgson feels a sense of loyalty to the players who helped qualify England for the European Championship with 10 straight victories.
The England boss added “We know Andy, we know his qualities,”
“In an ideal world, if you had a lot of places at your disposal, you’d always include a guy like him because he is exceptional in the air – but whether or not I’d be able to include him with all these others, I don’t know.”
The 68-year-old boss hinted that even Rooney has not secured a place after a knee injury has prevented him from playing for 2 months.
“There’s no disguising the fact that people like Jack Wilshere, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wayne Rooney – a year ago they were five players who were getting into every squad,” said Hodgson.
“Things have happened to them and we have to reassess”.
“If we can be sure they are at the level of fitness and capability to produce the performances they produced a year ago they will be serious contenders. If we are not convinced, we have to give it some thought.”
Hodgson will announce the 23 players for the summer’s playoffs in France on May 12.
