Alan Shearer tips Andy Carroll to star for England

England and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer expects Andy Carroll to earn an England call-up.

Carroll has scored seven league goals for the Toon this season to help Chris Hughton’s side rise to fifth in the Premier League table. The 21-year-old’s towering header at the Emirates last Sunday secured a famous win for Newcastle against Arsenal.

“I have been very impressed with Andy – I don’t think you can be anything but impressed. He’s had a great start to the season,” said Shearer.

“He just needs to keep on doing what he is doing. As [manager] Chris Hughton has said, there will be times when he doesn’t score and he might have games that are a bit iffy.

He added: “That’s part and parcel of the game but at the minute, he’s on a high. He was absolutely awesome at Arsenal on Sunday, he completely bullied the defence and that’s great to see.

Shearer worked with Carroll during his brief stint in charge at St James’ Park towards the end of the 2008-09 season and the former Blackburn Rovers star believes the striker has the talent to bully defences on a regular basis.

England manager Fabio Capello is said to be contemplating handing Carroll his first international cap in the friendly against France next week.

Shearer made his first appearance for the national side against the same nation in 1992 and the former Newcastle forward went on to earn 63 caps, scoring 30 goals.

“A month ago, I would maybe have said it was too early, but he’s getting better and better every game,” admitted the 40-year-old.

“You can’t ignore that but as I say when people were pushing him at the start of the season, it might have been too early. He’s still learning and maturing, but the kid is getting better and better.

He added: “He has to put him in sooner or later and I don’t think it would be a surprise if he was picked now.”