West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has divided opinion between two Sky Sports pundits over his England future.
The imposing West Ham striker is a real throwback and has become something of a rarity in modern day football.
Seeing Carroll on the pitch has also been a rarity for Hammers fans since his move from Liverpool in 2012.
But with each comeback the big Geordie makes from injury comes the inevitable discussion about Carroll’s England chances.
And he has been dividing opinion among Sky Sports pundits as they outlined who they would pick for England’s Russia 2018 World Cup squad after Gareth Southgate’s side secured their place last week.
Paul Merson backed Carroll to be one of four strikers on the plane, preferring the West Ham man to the likes of Danny Wellbeck, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge and Tammy Abraham.
“My first three picks pick themselves, but my fourth will surprise a few,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“Mark my words, we will not pass a team off the pitch at the World Cup so we need someone who provides a different option, and that’s where Carroll comes in.
“If we’re chasing the game we can pump the ball up to Carroll and there will be drama, trust me. If Sturridge was fit he would be the first person on the team-sheet, but you just cannot rely on his fitness or form.”
But Ray Wilkins feels Sturridge is a better bet than Carroll, who is yet to score this season.
“Harry Kane is doing it every game… while Marcus Rashford is another player – like Dele Alli – taking too many touches at the moment,” Wilkins said on Sky Sports.
“Jamie Vardy gives you the option to run beyond the defence and we all know the talent Daniel Sturridge has, he just needs to get a work ethic without the ball.
“Then you have Jermain Defoe or Andy Carroll or Peter Crouch. People may be surprised I’m mentioning Crouch but look at his goalscoring record for England. He’s close to one goal every two games.”
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