Source: Northern_Echo
Carroll forced out of Under-21 squad
NEWCASTLE will be nervously monitoring Andy Carroll's fitness ahead of next week's Premier League opener at Manchester United after the striker was forced to withdraw from the England Under-21 squad through injury.[LNB] Carroll injured his back in the first half of Saturday's friendly defeat at Rangers and was substituted at half-time to prevent further damage.[LNB] Newcastle's medical staff had hoped the problem would clear up quickly, but Carroll was still complaining of pain on Sunday night.[LNB] As a result, the Magpies' new number nine was withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad for this evening's friendly with Uzbekistan yesterday morning.[LNB] With six days in which to recover, Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is hoping Carroll will be fit to start next Monday's televised game at Old Trafford.[LNB] However, the striker will be monitored closely this week and is unlikely to take part in a full training programme in an attempt to prevent further problems.[LNB] Andy felt his back at halftime and was still in a little bit of pain after the game so the FA allowed us to withdraw him, said Hughton.[LNB] Carroll's withdrawal means Newcastle have just two players on international duty this week, with Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini part of the Argentina squad that will take on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin tomorrow.[LNB] They could have another international on their books by the time they travel to Manchester, however, with representatives of Hatem Ben Arfa due to travel to Tyneside tomorrow to discuss the personal terms of the midfielder's proposed move from Marseille.[LNB] Marseille officials have accepted Newcastle's offer of a loan fee of around 800,000 Euros, with a view to a permanent transfer at the end of the season.[LNB] Ben Arfa, who is expected to win his eighth full France cap in Norway tomorrow, is keen to join the Magpies, but the two parties are still to agree the details of a wage agreement.[LNB] Meanwhile, Newcastle will hold an open training session at St James' Park from 11am tomorrow morning. Admission is free and the turnstiles will open at 10am.[LNB] Jon Dahl Tomasson has announced his retirement from international football.[LNB] The 33-year-old ex-Newcastle striker won his 112th cap in the group-stage defeat to Japan at the World Cup.[LNB] He scored a late penalty in that 3-1 loss to become Denmark's joint record goalscorer with 52.[LNB] The national team has always had the biggest impact on me in my career. It has been a great honour for me to represent my country, he said.[LNB] The national team has been a big part of my career for the last 13 years and it is an important chapter in my life that I am now ending.''[LNB]
