NEWCASTLE United’s inform striker Andy Carroll has been told to bide his time in chasing full international recognition, as England caps will come his way sooner rather than later.

The 21-year-old has hit the ground running since United returned to the top flight after a season’s absence, with four goals in three Premier League outings this term.

And, despite his relative inexperience at the highest level, his form led to calls for the Gateshead-born front man to be fast tracked into Fabio Capello’s squad for tonight’s European Championships qualifier against Bulgaria.

Carroll, however, had to withdraw from Stuart Pearce’s Under-21s for their European Championship qualifiers against Portugal and Lithuania because of an ankle problem.

The injury was made known after Newcastle’s hard-earned draw against Wolves at Molineux last weekend.

The 6ft 3in targetman was substituted ten minutes from the end after levelling for the Magpies.

Carroll’s injury is not thought to be serious, however, and is expected to be fit to face Blackpool at St James’ Park a week tomorrow.

Sol Campbell, who made his debut for Terry Venables’ side in 1996 prior to the European Championships as a 21-yearold, knows all about the perils, pitfalls and pressure of international football.

The Newcastle defender believes his United colleague will play for the Three Lions in the future – if he is patient and continues his precious development.

“Andy is definitely a great prospect” said the 35-year-old veteran defender.

“We just have to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground and concentrate on the football. He has to keep working hard and as long as he does that he is going to keep pushing.

“He is definitely one for the future.”

But Carroll is not the only one with a big future on Tyneside.

Manager Chris Hughton has thrown down the gauntlet to several of his fledglings to make their mark this term.

Fringe players such as Nile Ranger, who was in irresistible form in the reserves’ 3-1 victory over Sunderland on Tuesday night, and Tamas Kadar were both expected to be sent out on loan this season to get some first team experience under their belts.

But Hughton says he will resist the urge to send all his youngsters out and urged them to make a challenge for a first team place.

“When I look at the fringe group, lads like Ranger and Kadar are so close to the first team they have a chance of playing,” admitted the former Tottenham coach.

“We have players like Brad Inman and Greg McDermott who are developing this season too.

“Maybe Shane Ferguson and Ryan Donaldson are the type of players who are in the middle and need to go out on loan.

“We don’t need to make those decisions this week, we’ll look at it again. We don’t expect many more going out on loan, possibly one, maybe two.”