VIDEO: New faces get the nod
Tuesday, 16 November, 2010
Capello says Carroll, Henderson and Gibbs set to start against France.
Click here to watch video of the press conference with Fabio Capello.
Fabio Capello has confirmed that Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson will be handed their England debuts against France at Wembley on Wednesday.
The young duo, who are both England Under-21 internationals, have been in sparkling form for their clubs this season and the England Manager is now ready to unleash them on the senior stage.
Carroll had been struggling with a groin injury and it was unclear whether he would recover in time to face France, whilst Jack Wilshere will not be fit to play any part in the game at all as Capello said: "Carroll is OK, he is fit and will play tomorrow. Jack Wilshere has been sent home because he won't be fit for tomorrow. Jagielka has 'flu, but we think he will be strong enough to play.
"He (Carroll) will start in the first XI along with Henderson and Gibbs. These are three young players and it will be interesting for them to play against an important team like France - they are a tough team.
"Carroll is strong in the air but also technically very good and his movement off the ball is really good. He is a fighter and we need someone up front with good movement who can help the team go forward.
“I hope he can keep improving because this is really important. The future for him now, I hope, is in the Senior team.
"We have monitored Henderson for a long time and I have seen him play. He is a really interesting player.
"On the pitch his movement is always good, he plays one, two touch maximum and he runs a lot. When he has the ball he switches it quickly.
"He will start tomorrow because I want to see the level of this player against a tough team like France.
"In this group we have eleven new young players which is a lot. The crowd of 90,000 people will be not easy to play in front of and if their performance is not okay we have to support them.
"The senior players like Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard have to act as parents."
Capello also added his congratulations to FA President HRH Prince William, on the news of his engagement today, before he touched upon the inclusion of Jay Bothroyd in his squad, following an impressive season to date with Championship high-fliers Cardiff City.
“The scouts have been monitoring him for a long time, he's a talented player," he added.
"There are good players not only in the Premier League but the Championship."