Hodgson sticks with squad

Roy Hodgson: England coach is not calling up a replacement for Andy Carroll for the World Cup qualifiers

Roy Hodgson has decided not to call up a replacement for Andy Carroll for England's opening 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

Carroll will miss the upcoming double-header after picking up a hamstring injury on his debut for West Ham United in Saturday's 3-0 win over Fulham.

England coach Hodgson was waiting until Sunday's three Premier League games had taken place before deciding whether to add another player to his squad, but has opted to stick with the remaining 23 members, who will report for duty at Watford on Monday.

It means England will have only three orthodox forwards; Danny Welbeck, Jermain Defoe and Daniel Sturridge as Wayne Rooney has been ruled out with a gashed thigh.

There had been some speculation Darren Bent, Peter Crouch or even Bobby Zamora could be drafted in for Friday's game against Moldova in Chisinau.

However, Hodgson presumably feels there is sufficient flexibility in his squad already, with Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose fitness has been confirmed despite suffering a minor knock in the win at Liverpool, plus Steven Gerrard all capable of operating in an advanced role if required.