I won’t give up on World Cup
AS Andy Carroll takes his beloved three dogs for a walk in the Essex countryside today, his thoughts will wander to dreams of playing for England at the World Cup.
The West Ham striker had been tipped to win a place back in the Three Lions squad, following his impressive form, but boss Gareth Southgate opted instead for veteran forward Jermain Defoe.
But there is no question that Carroll brings something different to the party and he may have made a big difference in Dortmund on Wednesday as the England strikers failed to find a way past the German defence. And Carroll (below, with Mirror Sport’s Marc Isaacs) would still love the chance to build on his nine caps for his country.
Those included playing at Euro 2012, but injuries have derailed his career over recemt years and his last appearance for England came later that same year.
He said: “Of course, I want to be back in the England squad. I have nine caps and I definitely want a lot more. Let’s hope I can stay fit for West Ham, score more goals and it will come. “It was unbelievable for me to play at the Euros for my country. I managed to score, but, even taking that out of the equation, it was still fantastic and a great trip. “If I could be involved in the World Cup, it would be fantastic.” Carroll, 28, feels he can bring different qualities to the England set-up and says there are a number of players at West Ham, such as Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell, who have played their way into the international squad.
Carroll said: “It is nice when people say I should be in there and I feel I can offer something a little different, so, hopefully, I can keep working hard and a chance will come.
“The manager has been to a few of our games and a few of our players, such as Cressy and Michail, have a chance. Hopefully, I’ll be one of them.”
Five years have passed since he last lined up for England, against San Marino, and Carroll has changed a lot – for all the right reasons. Much is
down to his settled home life and he has never felt so happy, following the birth of his son Arlo.
The ex-Liverpool and Newcastle striker admits his partner and former TV reality star Billi Mucklow keeps him in line and is the boss at home.
You would think the modern-day Premier League footballer would have everything done for him, with the millions in the bank – but Carroll is very much his own man.
Carroll explained: “I normally get up early to take the dogs out – the two little ones stay at home first thing because they are carnage if I take them out then. I take Blu, a cane corso, out and I am lucky that I live among a lot of fields, so I can just walk and get away from the missus, who always tells me what to do.
“It is a busy morning for me when Billi goes off to the gym and I have to get Arlo ready as well. Of course, I enjoy it and feel like a stay-at-home dad, even though that is not the case.
“People can call me Mrs Doubtfire, but I would rather call it Mary Poppins!”
And the forward, whose physicality and aggression prove such a handful for Premier League defenders, showed another side to his character in public as he took his seat to watch Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House. “Me and my missus like to surprise each other with random stuff,” added Carroll (right with Wayne Rooney, Roy Hodgson and Steven Gerrard at the 2012 Euros).
“It was her turn going somewhere and, to be honest, I have always wanted to see opera and ballet.
“When we first walked in, I didn’t really know what was going on and she was winding me up about the different things we were going to see.
“I really enjoyed it and would 100 per cent go and see another show. I don’t think anyone noticed me. People probably looked over and thought, ‘No, it can’t be Andy Carroll at the ballet!’.” He will be out with his dogs this weekend when England play their World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Wembley.
But the muchchanged Hammers star will never give up his quest to play for the Three Lions once again – at the showpiece event in Russia next summer.