England will play to win against Ukraine insists Andy Carroll

 

John Curtis
Monday 18 June 2012 16:52 BST
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Carroll Zinger: Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against the Swedes
Carroll Zinger: Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against the Swedes (AFP/Getty Images)

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Andy Carroll insists England will not settle for the draw against Ukraine which would book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Roy Hodgson's side need only a point to qualify for the last eight after the 1-1 draw with France and 3-2 win over Sweden.

But Carroll is adamant England will look to end Group D on a positive note.

The Liverpool striker, who scored the opening goal against Sweden, said: "We think we can finish the job against Ukraine. We are confident.

"We showed what we are about against Sweden after going behind and have put ourselves in with a good chance of qualifying. Things are in our hands.

"We will just need a point on Tuesday but we will go there and try and get the win. That's the way we are and approach games."

Carroll or Danny Welbeck, who also scored against Sweden, are likely to make way for the available again Wayne Rooney.

But Carroll insists it is only positive for England's hopes of progressing in the tournament that Rooney is back at Hodgson's disposal after a two-game ban.

He said: "Wayne is fantastic, he is back involved now and it is great for us and it is great for him.

"It's massive, it does give everyone in the squad a lift, and he is a great player.

"He has got awesome qualities. That is what we need really. In training he has done everything - and that's what we need in games.

"His return now might give us a good lift now for the later stages of the tournament.

"It will be great, it will be fantastic to have him back and, of course, I would love to play alongside him. It's something I have never done."

Carroll believes the current spirit amongst the England squad is an important factor.

He said: "We've got a great team spirit going on. We are really close.

"Back at the camp, we all stick together, we are all good friends and have a laugh and a joke. That is a key really."

PA

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