Andy Carroll is dreaming of FA Cup glory with West Ham and a recall for Euro 2016

Striking target: Hammers man wants to fire himself to the Euros
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Simon Johnson14 March 2016

Andy Carroll arrived at Old Trafford hoping to help West Ham’s bid to win the FA Cup and left dreaming of an England recall.

The presence of England coach Roy Hodgson, just four days before he names his squad to face Germany and Holland this month, in the directors’ box did not go unnoticed by the West Ham striker.

Carroll’s injury problems since he impressed in Euro 2012, where he scored a fine goal in the win over Sweden, are well documented.

Indeed, since joining West Ham from Liverpool for £15million in 2013, he has started just 31 Premier League games.

But as he bullied Manchester United’s defenders time and again yesterday, he demonstrated why he could be an option for Hodgson this summer.

The 27-year-old is fully aware of the competition for the forward positions, which includes Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, and captain Wayne Rooney.

But with West Ham still on course to win the FA Cup after earning a quarter-final replay, as well as a possible Champions League spot, Carroll believes a trip to France is not out of the question.

He told Standard Sport: “I have three things to aim with the club pushing for top four, the FA Cup Final and making the England squad.

“I don’t want to be getting injured now, it would be the worst thing. I don’t know why it happens [the setbacks], it just does. It’s upsetting really.

“It’s been hard, I have been injured a lot. My run in the side hasn’t been continuous, but it’s still a dream to play for my country. It’s something I want to do and I will never give up on it.

“I have great memories of Euro 2012 and would love to be there again. My love for my country is never going to go away. Hopefully, I will stay fit, keep playing, score goals and I will get a chance to go.”

Carroll is not the only one looking to make a late surge into Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016. Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio and captain Mark Noble, as always, impressed against United.

When asked if he had heard from Hodgson, Carroll added: “No, nothing at all. I know he has been at the games watching a few of us. We have some great English talent in the team. He is watching everyone and he has a tough job to do [to pick a squad]. Hopefully, I can cause a bit of a headache for him and get myself in there.

“Having so many players to choose from means you have to leave a lot more out. It’s a tough job for him [Hodgson] but he knows how to deal with it.”

How Hodgson must wish Dimitri Payet was English too. Mysteriously ignored by France so far, it was his stunning free-kick that put West Ham into a deserved lead in the 68th minute. Van Gaal moaned he should have been shown a second yellow card a few minutes earlier after falling in the area under Marcos Rojo challenge.

But United’s equaliser was even more controversial as Bastian Schweinsteiger collided with goalkeeper Darren Randolph, leaving Antony Martial to score into an empty net.

Carroll is desperate to win the Cup after missing out against Chelsea four years ago, when his Liverpool side lost 2-1 in the final.

He said: "I have unfinished business with the FA Cup. I got to the final with Liverpool in 2012 and I haven't been back since.

"It is a game I look back on and wonder 'what if?' I have watched it back a few times. I had a header saved right on the line by Petr Cech and there were questions over whether it went in or not.

"If I can make the final with West Ham, it would be a great way to end the season for me and the club. We just have to keep pushing for that and the League.

"We want to finish in the top four and to win the FA Cup, definitely. It's the way the lads are and the manager is. We are not going to play a weaker squad for one and stronger for the other. We are going to go all out for both.

"If we can get past Manchester United and get into the semi-final, we have a real chance to win the FA Cup this year. We are still in with a real shout. We all fancy our chances against United at home."

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