Carrick out of friendly

London - Manchester United's Michael Carrick has withdrawn from the England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Scotland after suffering an eye infection, the Football Association said.

Carrick, 32, had been in line to win his 30th cap at Wembley.

But a statement published on www.thefa.com read: "Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has withdrawn from the England squad to face Scotland due to an eye infection.

"Carrick, who has been capped 29 times by England, has returned to his club and misses the game on Wednesday evening."

Wednesday's match is the first since England edged a European Championship play-off in 1999 and has caught the imagination of Scottish fans, with 20,000 expected to descend on London.

Carrick was named man of the match in Manchester United's 2-0 Community Shield win over Wigan on Sunday.

United kick off the defence of their Premier League title at Swansea on Saturday.