Many England supporters wouldn’t have heard of Andy Carroll before this season, with the Newcastle striker having started to blossom in the Championship last year before carrying on this form in the Premier League since August.

His reward for some excellent performances have not only been an England call-up to the squad to face France but also the opportunity to start against Laurent Blanc’s team at Wembley. Fabio Capello has confirmed that Jordan Henderson and Kieran Gibbs will also start the match.

“He’s OK. He’s fit. He’ll play tomorrow,” Capello said of Carroll. “He’ll start in the first XI along with Henderson and Gibbs.”

With John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard all missing injured, the England team is set to have a youthful appearance, although Jack Wilshere will be missing through injury. Capello is more hopeful that Phil Jagielka and Joe Hart will be fit enough to take their place against France.

“Wilshere is going home. Jagielka has flu but we think he will be OK tomorrow. Hart, the doctor is waiting to decide what happened. We think it will not be a big problem for him.”