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Carroll set for England call up

Pa,Martyn Ziegler
Monday 08 November 2010 13:32 GMT
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(GETTY IMAGES)

Andy Carroll is still in contention for England selection despite more allegations about the Newcastle striker's private life.

England head coach Fabio Capello is expected to include Carroll in his squad for the friendly against France after being impressed by the 21-year-old.

Carroll has denied any wrongdoing after claims that cocaine was taken into skipper Kevin Nolan's house and it is understood the FA are not ruling him out of contention as a result of the latest story.

The News Of The World said the England Under-21 international romped with two women at Nolan's home while celebrating Newcastle's 5-1 win over local rivals Sunderland last weekend.

White powder, alleged to be cocaine, was pictured spread on a table at Nolan's £1million home in Darras Hall, Northumberland.

It was alleged that one of the women took the Class A drug with her. There is no suggestion that either player used it.

Both players have denied having any knowledge that drugs were on the premises.

A statement issued by the club last night said: "The club notes the story in the News Of The World today and has passed the matter to its legal advisers.

"Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll categorically deny having any knowledge that drugs had been brought on to the premises and are pleased that the paper does not even allege that they were aware of the presence of drugs.

"Neither player would ever contemplate taking drugs or condone the use of such substances."

Northumbria Police said reports of drug abuse were taken seriously but that they were not investigating any incident at Nolan's home on the weekend of October 30.

Carroll, who scored the winning goal in Newcastle's 1-0 victory at Arsenal yesterday, has found himself on the front pages rather than the back on a number of occasions this year.

He was ordered to stay with Nolan by magistrates in Hexham, Northumberland, after he was charged with assaulting an ex-girlfriend.

Days later his £70,000 customised, chrome-plated Range Rover was torched while parked in Nolan's drive and graffiti aimed at Carroll was scrawled across Nolan's garage door.

Less than a week after the arson attack, Carroll was ordered to pay a fine of £1,000 at Newcastle Crown Court after he admitted accidentally glassing a reveller in a city centre nightclub.

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