Former West Ham United striker Dean Ashton has continued the argument that England should recall Andy Carroll.The Hammers forward, who has been ravaged with injury problems this season, was overlooked by England manager Gareth Southgate.Carroll has not represented his country since 2012, and despite scoring four goals in his last seven appearances for West Ham, he was left out of the recent Three Lions squad.Instead, Southgate opted to bring Jermain Defoe in from the cold, and it proved to be a good call as the Sunderland striker scored his first international goal in four years on Sunday.Jamie Vardy also got on the scoresheet as England defeated Lithuania 2-0 at Wembley in their World Cup qualifier, but Ashton felt that something was missing.Southgate's men had very little aerial threat in the match, and that is certainly a strength that Carroll possesses.

The fact that Defoe was selected ahead of Carroll proves how difficult it will be for him to find a way through, particularly as Wayne Rooney was also left out.

In addition, Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane was only omitted due to injury, so is likely to be included if fit when the next squad announcement rolls around.

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