Roy Hodgson has revealed he approached Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for a report on striker Andy Carroll.
And the England boss claimed Rodgers was glowing in his praise for the 23-year-old Geordie.
Carroll’s future at Anfield has been the subject of constant speculation throughout the summer with potential moves to Newcastle and West Ham leading the headlines.
And having named the forward in the 23-man England squad for Wednesday night’s friendly against Italy, Hodgson took the time to get an update on his club form.
"I checked Andy out with Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard because I realize there is a situation there," Hodgson told Sky Sports.
"They were both happy with Andy in training and the way he is going about his business."
And despite the fact that none of his three chosen strikers - Daniel Sturridge, Jermain Defoe and Carroll - is a regular starters at club level, Hodgson remains happy with his options up front.
"We have to accept that a lot of our front players aren't first choices at their clubs," the former West Bromwich Albion manager continued.
"There are a lot of foreign centre-forwards at the big clubs in the Premier League so it's not easy for our boys sometimes.
"But Andy Carroll did well when he played in the Euros and I have no worries putting him in this squad."
Hodgson is using the friendly against Italy to gain a closer look at some potential young stars, with Tottenham’s Jake Livermore called up after receiving similarly excellent reports from his club’s coaching staff.
"Jake did well at Tottenham last year," added Hodgson.
"I had a long chat with Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood about him. They are impressed so it was a good chance to have a look for myself.
"A couple of players dropped out so Jake has been promoted up from the reserve list."
The Italy game has largely gone under the radar with the country being gripped by Olympic fever, but Hodgson is delighted with what has been a wholly successful Games for Team GB.
"I'd love to tap into the whole Olympic atmosphere," said Hodgson.
"I've been really impressed by the whole organization, the coaches and in particular the athletes, who have done an outstanding job.
"The impressive aspect is the manner in which they have won medals and embraced their victory.
"It's been very refreshing to see talented people showing a good face to the nation and the world at large.
"The way that Team GB have conducted themselves in a home Olympics must make the world of athletics very pleased and proud.
"So many of them have done such a great PR job."
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