Carroll eyes Rooney link-up

Published Nov. 28, 2010 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Toon ace made his Three Lions bow against France earlier this month, but Rooney was not fit and did not play. But, after the match, England coach Fabio Capello admitted he was already looking forward to the pair forming a partnership and Carroll revealed he would relish the prospect of lining up with Rooney on a regular basis. "Wayne is a great player so to have people talking about me and him playing up front for England means a lot," he said. "I definitely think we could form a decent partnership. The way we both play I reckon we'd go well together." Carroll admits he had few doubts about making the step up to the full national side. "I knew I was capable of playing for England. In my head I wanted to step up and I knew I could do it," he continued. "Now I've played one game, I have to try and keep my place in the squad. "Turning up at the England hotel was good. The rest of the lads were there and I just walked in all normal, like - as if I should be there. We had a bit of banter and that was that." Carroll has been dogged by off-field problems, but he insists those days are now behind him. "There's been a bit of bother lately but it's in the past now. I know people are watching every move I make so I need to keep my head down," he said. "I have to deal with criticism and get on with it but Chris Hughton has been sticking by me. "He pulls me in the office now and again and lets me know what he likes and what he doesn't like. He is helping me along with life."