Geordie Carroll focused on club before country

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll will not allow himself to be distracted by talk that he could be fast-tracked into the senior England set-up.

Fabio Capello could turn to youth as he surveys the wreckage of a dismal World Cup campaign, and Carroll is one of the up and coming players to have been mentioned in dispatches.

However, the 21-year-old, who scored 19 goals last season as the Magpies won the ­Championship title, plans to concentrate solely on his club football and see where that takes him.

Carroll said: “We just have to see what happens with England. My first aim is to play well for Newcastle and take it from there. If I keep playing well and training well, it will be communicated back to the right people.”

Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce – also a member of Capello’s coaching staff – met Carroll on Tyneside earlier this year as Scotland showed an interest in the player.

He qualifies for both ­countries, but his loyalties appear to remain south of the border.

As he prepares for the Toon’s first season back in the Premier, Carroll said: “I can’t wait to play against top players and prove that I can do it.”