Capello hopes Carroll learns from younger players

Capello has confirmed Carroll will make his debut against France at Wembley tonight after the Newcastle striker came through yesterday morning's training session without aggravating his groin injury.

It is a merited choice based upon Carroll's performances for the Magpies this term.

Yet it is one the 21-year-old's chequered disciplinary past has forced him to wait for.

Capello did not say precisely when, but the Italian revealed Carroll had already been the subject of one meeting amongst the Football Association hierarchy, when the vote went against the forward.

"Carroll needs to improve in his private life," said Capello. "I didn't select him before because the FA, Stuart Pearce and myself were not okay about it. He must learn something about this. But now he is here, it is really important because he is a good player."

Capello was intent on having two lengthy chats with the player, who has scored seven times this season.

The first was purely about football, which the Italian is already impressed with, having witnessed Carroll's qualities at close hand at the Emirates Stadium when the Gateshead-born youngster turned in a match-winning performance against Arsenal.

But the Italian's most pertinent points were delivered after training, when he took Carroll to one side and spoke about behavioural issues.

"We have to help him," said Capello. "He has made some mistakes during his life but everyone makes them and he is only young.

"Carroll is a really good player. He must understand when he stays with the senior team that everyone, including the newspapers and journalists, will focus on his life even more.

"For this reason I think he will improve."

Capello hopes the influence of Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard will rub off on Carroll and the player will return to Newcastle a wiser individual.

Certainly he offers greater flexibility in his play than anyone else who has been tried since the summer retirement of Emile Heskey, with Capello especially impressed by his display in beating the Gunners.

"I watched that game," said the England boss.

"Carroll was strong in the air and attacked the ball.

"He is really good when he receives it too. That is no problem for him, and his movement without the ball is good as well.

"He is a fighter and a really interesting player for us."