Andy Carroll focused on Newcastle

Newcastle striker Andy Carroll will not allow himself to be distracted by talk that he could be fast-tracked into the senior England set-up.

Fabio Capello is being tipped to turn to youth as he surveys the wreckage of a dismal World Cup campaign in South Afric and Carroll is one of the up and coming players to have been mentioned in dispatches.

However, the 21-year-old, who scored 19 goals last season as the Magpies took the Championship title, plans to concentrate solely on his club football and see where that takes him.

Carroll said: "We just have to see what happens with England. My first aim is to play well for Newcastle and take it from there. After that, you see what happens.

"If I keep playing well and training well, it will be communicated back to the right people."

Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce, who is also a member of Capello's coaching staff, met Carroll on Tyneside earlier this year as Scotland's interest in a player who qualifies for both countries mounted.

His loyalties appear to remain south of the border, but as he prepares for Newcastle's first season back in the Barclays Premier League, the business of scoring the goals to keep them there will be his main focus.

Carroll said: "I just want to score the goals that I know I can.

"It's not just goals, I want to help the team in every way I can, which I also know I can do.

"What I need to do is pick up where I left off. I still feel that I have a lot to learn, but playing the full season last season, playing week in, week out, has brought me on a lot.

"I have played a few games already in the Premier League, so I know what to expect.

"From that, I know it will be really hard, but I just have to keep going.

"I can't wait to play against the top players and prove that I can do it."