‘Best in Europe, England need him’ Sky Sports pundit Danny Mills backs West Ham star Andy Carroll for World Cup

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West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has been backed to make England’s World Cup squad after a return to form.

West Ham have been in a relegation battle all season long and Carroll has spent much of it in the treatment room or on the bench.

The big Geordie returned to the first team with a bang when he scored a brace in the 2-1 comeback win over relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion last time out.

And that led to the usual debate over whether the burly forward should be brought back into the England fold by Gareth Southgate with the Russia World Cup on the horizon this summer.

Many fans feel Carroll should just concentrate on staying fit and scoring goals for West Ham.

But speaking on Sky Sports, former England defender Danny Mills suggested taking Carroll to Russia was a no-brainer.

“Definitely (Carroll would bring something different to the England team),” Mills told Premier League Daily on Sky Sports.

“I certainly think he would be a plan B or a plan C. I mean aerially he is fantastic, still one of the best headers of a ball in the Premier League. I mean that goal (Carroll’s second against West Brom) is a really good finish.

“It’s on his weaker right foot, the angle is really, really tight. Last minute that’s a really good finish and I think if he’s fit he’s gotta be worth taking to the World Cup.

“I think there’s certainly room for him in the 25. He offers something different and if you need to nick a goal or a set piece or you need to put the ball into the box aerially then there aren’t too many better headers for goal in Europe than Andy Carroll. You saw that first goal (vs West Brom), bullied the two defenders, you know, ‘my ball, get out of the way’ in the back of the net, there aren’t too many other players that can do that.”

Carroll will be hoping his brace against West Brom will kickstart his season and David Moyes could certainly use the extra goals and physical presence.

And of course Carroll also helps out hugely when defending set pieces, often being the first to clear West Ham’s lines from free-kicks and corners.

Carroll has been linked with a return to former club Newcastle United.

But given his all round contribution and the fact West Ham are in direct competition with the Magpies to stay in the division, it would not be wise to sanction that transfer.