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Exclusive: Andy Carroll says England rumours are 'flattering' but he's heard it all before

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Andy Carroll says West Ham are good enough to attack Arsenal and cause their defence problems. You can watch the game live on Sky Sports Premier League on Sunday from 12.30pm

Andy Carroll says it is flattering to be tipped for an England call-up for the World Cup, but insists he has heard the rumours all too often over the years.

Carroll returned from a three-month absence to score West Ham's equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Stoke on Monday Night Football, just his third goal of a season blighted by injury.

He hasn't played for England since October 2012, and though the 29-year-old has been tenuously tipped as England's fourth striker at Russia in the summer, Carroll says he's heard it all before.

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He told Sky Sports: "At the beginning it was flattering, but it's happened now for a few years.

"Every time I play, it's the same rumours. Every time I score, it's the same rumours. So it's one of those things you just deal with now.

Andy Carroll celebrates scoring for West Ham against West Brom
Image: Carroll celebrates scoring for West Ham against West Brom earlier this season

"It is nice, obviously, to be spoken about in that way, but it's been said for a long time now.

"I'm just concentrating on playing, scoring goals and staying safe with West Ham. Then what comes will come."

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Carroll has missed large chunks of the last two seasons with West Ham having suffered ankle, groin and knee injuries.

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West Ham 1-1 Stoke

He could make his first start since January against Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates, live on Sky Sports Premier League, and Carroll opened up on how frustrating it has been both mentally and physically to watch on from the sidelines.

"It's frustrating, I've had a lot of injuries in my career, and it's tough, it's hard being away from the team, not a part of it.

"It's really difficult to work alone. I just try to get involved with the lads as much as possible, because it's difficult just being by yourself in the gym.

Andy Carroll has scored twice in nine appearances for England.
Image: Andy Carroll has scored twice in nine appearances for England.

"I try to get around the lads as much as possible, I'm at all the games, there as much as I can to support them, not just playing football.

"I've been working hard, it has been tough, mentally tough as well. Working with the physio in the gym, or one-on-one on the pitch.

"It's tough, especially when you look across the other side of the pitch and the lads are having fun, doing what you want to do, playing football, and I'm sat with a couple of weights on my back, so it's good to be back."

Watch the full interview with Andy Carroll on Super Sunday as Arsenal face West Ham, live on Sky Sports Premier League

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