Carroll drops out of Eng squad

London - Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has withdrawn from the England squad for the friendly games against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil because of a foot injury, the Football Association have announced.

The FA revealed the news in a statement late on Tuesday, and said that manager Roy Hodgson had not called up a replacement.

"Andy Carroll has been ruled out of the England squad for the upcoming internationals with Republic of Ireland and Brazil," said the FA.

"Carroll had been named in Roy Hodgson's squad that will take on Ireland at Wembley on Wednesday, May 29, and then travel to Rio to face Brazil on June 2, but has now been forced to withdraw through injury.

"No replacement will be made at this time."

Carroll spent the season on loan at West Ham United and ended the season with a strong burst of form that drew warm praise from Hodgson.

His withdrawal leaves Hodgson with four strikers at his disposal in Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge, Jermain Defoe of Tottenham Hotspur, and the Manchester United pair of Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck.

England's players are due to convene at their St George's Park training base on Sunday.

Revised England squad

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Alex McCarthy (Reading)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole (both Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley (both Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott (both Arsenal)

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)