The form of West Ham United forward Andy Carroll in recent weeks has prompted suggestions the towering striker could be on course for a shock inclusion in the England squad for Euro 2016.

In every single way imaginable, the former Liverpool man represents almost the complete opposite to what captured the imagination of the nation when the Three Lions beat Germany recently.

The emergence of Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy on the international stage, two men who plied their trade lower down the leagues and have to earn a right in the squad, sent us into raptures as both scored excellent goals on that great night in Berlin.

That is not say Carroll does not work hard, clearly he does, but the 26-year old had fame and recognition thrust on him as a relative novice.

Having played 11 games for Newcastle United in the Premier League, he was a £35m signing for Liverpool as they looked to replace Fernando Torres.

Unlike the aforementioned pair, he was suddenly forced into the spotlight when he wasn't ready and the attention proved to weigh heavily upon his broad shoulders.

In terms of playing style too, he doesn't posses the pace of Vardy or the all-action dynamism of Kane.

However, perhaps the fact he such an opposite to the other forwards likely to travel with Roy Hodgson to France could serve him well.

Exceptional in the air, he's a traditional centre-forward in the old fashioned mode. When pitted against a more continental style defence, as he did against Arsenal and scored a scintillating hat-trick, he is almost certain to get on the end of crosses.

Would that not be a useful option against teams or don't often deal with players like that? What's the point in taking off Danny Welbeck for Daniel Sturidge late on if the former wasn't being effectively dealt with?

Hodgson may as well change systems entirely in order to change games late on.

For that, there are few better options than Andy Carroll.

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