Carroll's recovery is Bothroyd's misfortune

JAY BOTHROYD fully deserves his first England cap, but his chances have been hindered slightly after Andy Carroll was today confirmed fit to play.
 

Bothroyd - on the brink of a cap?

Bothroyd and Carroll both received their first senior call-ups to Fabio Capello’s England squad for tomorrow’s friendly against France.

Carroll then managed to pick up a groin injury in Newcastle’s 0-0 home draw with Fulham last weekend, and looked to be a doubt.

But after the 21-year-old shook off this niggle, Bothroyd may have to settle for an appearance from the bench.

England’s lack of firepower has made it look very likely that Carroll will be given a start, either on his own with Gerrard in support, or alongside Peter Crouch.

Obviously there is the possibility of Crouch being named as the lone target man, but the Tottenham striker is significantly short of goals in the Premier League so far this season.

So should Carroll start, the worrying Wednesday outcome for Bothroyd might be as follows:

Bothroyd will sit on the bench until the 60th/70th minute, at which point Capello will sub him on for Carroll.  Bothroyd will have a few shots on goal, but essentially be left with too little time to prove his worth.

And the following day, the press will disregard and label him as another failed England experiment, and forever file him in the same category as David Nugent and Kevin Davies.

My fingers are fiercely crossed that this does not happen.

Jay Bothroyd, with 13 league goals to his name already this season, deserves his opportunity.

And only if he gets a full 90, or even something close to it, can we debate his international value.

Bothroyd may not be a young debutant, at 28 years of age, but he has more than answered his critics since he last played in the Premiership.

And just imagine if he scores…

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