England World Cup squad: Andy Carroll keeping in shape with hope for a Brazil call-up by performing yoga on the beaches of Dubai

Carroll has been put on stand-by for the World Cup

Andy Carroll practicing yoga on the beach in Dubai (Instagram/AndyTCaroll)

Andy Carroll may have only been named as a stand-by for England’s 2014 World Cup campaign, but the West Ham striker is keeping fit by practicing yoga on the beaches of Dubai.

Following reports that Carroll had missed a call from England manager Roy Hodgson due to the striker being on a plane to the Middle East, Carroll was eventually named as one of the seven back-up players that could be called upon should injury hit one of the 23 men Hodgson has selected for Brazil.

And after posting a picture on his official Instagram page of himself in a yoga pose named the ‘Warrior III’ (though we prefer the Flying Geordie) Carroll appears to be enjoying himself on his trip to sunny Dubai with his girlfriend and former The Only Way Is Essex star Billi Mucklow.

Mucklow, a trained yoga instructor back in the UK, would later post a picture together in front of the Burj Al Arab with the caption: “There’s no place id rather be”.

However, Carroll failed to return the sentiment, as he left a comment on the post reading: “I know a place I would rather be!!! #brazil”