Youthful England face France

LONDON (AP):

Andy Carroll will make his England debut in a youthful team against France on Wednesday despite some off-field problems.

The 21-year-old striker was fined by a court last month after pleading guilty to assaulting a man in a nightclub. He also faces a court trial over an assault on a former girlfriend.

Last month, England coach Fabio Capello decided against calling up the Newcastle player for the European Championship qualifier with Montenegro, but an injury crisis up front and Carroll's strong club form have persuaded Capello to give him a chance in Wednesday's friendly at Wembley Stadium.

Handing Carroll the responsibility of leading the attack in Wayne Rooney's absence could be just what he needs to start turning his troubled life around.

"I think everyone makes mistakes during their life and you have to help the young ones," Capello said yesterday. "He's a good player and I think he will understand, to stay with the senior (squad) will be really important for him because all the people, the newspapers, journalists will be focused on his life."

Capello, who said he planned to talk to Carroll privately called the Newcastle player a "fighter" and England captain Rio Ferdinand said the French team will struggle to cope with the striker's power.

"He's a real talent, someone who's going to make it awkward for opponents to play against," Ferdinand said. "Newcastle have got a fantastic player on their hands."

Like France, England are still rebuilding after a bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign, with Capello favouring young talent.

Although 18-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere has been ruled out after hobbling out of training yesterday, his 21-year-old Arsenal teammate, Kieran Gibbs, will make his second England appearance today.

Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson is the second newcomer - fresh from being part of the team that stunned Premier League leaders Chelsea 3-0 on Sunday.

While Carroll's partying has concerned both England and Newcastle, Henderson is determined to stay out of the spotlight.

"I don't drink or smoke," the 20-year-old player said. "A good night for me is watching the highlights of the Chelsea game. That's me. I never go out."

Infighting

England's post-World Cup revival came to a halt last month with a 0-0 draw against Montenegro following two Euro 2012 qualifying victories.

France, though, is continuing on an upward trajectory.

A much-changed team from the one that left the World Cup after the group stage amid infighting and indiscipline is leading its qualifying group after winning three of its opening four matches.

"After the World Cup I did think about things a lot," said defender Eric Abidal, who is back in the France squad for the first time since South Africa.

"It was tough for all of us, but that page has been turned and it is a case of looking to the future. In football you make wrong choices. We maybe made some wrong choices in the World Cup, but, when you suffer failure, you learn a lot from those failures."