Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish backs Andy Carroll’s inclusion in England U-21 squad: It is fine if any of our players go

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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has revealed that he has no qualms with Andy Carroll‘s possible inclusion in the England Under-21 squad for the upcoming European Championship.

The striker, who has been dogged by injuries since moving to Anfield for £35 million, has been included in boss Stuart Pearce’s provisional squad for the tournament in Denmark, along with Reds midfielder Jay Spearing.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has raised his fears over Jack Wilshere’s inclusion in the squad, but Dalglish is happy to allow his young players to participate in the end of season competition.
 
He told reporters: “We will wait and see if he Carroll is picked on Monday.

“At the moment Jay is in the squad and he’s not had a mention.

“If he gets into the Under-21 squad it is a fantastic reward for what he’s done.

“If any other of our players go then fine.”

Dalglish also revealed that midfielder Raul Meireles is set to return to play in the side’s final game of the season at Aston Villa.

The Portuguese picked up the knock halfway through Liverpool’s 5-2 demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage and missed the defeat to Spurs through the injury.

The Merseysiders need to better Tottenham’s result on the final day in order to qualify for the Europa League next season and the Scot is glad to have Meireles back for the crunch match.

He said: “He is training, so I think we should have him in and around the game for Sunday.

“We won’t take any chances, but we expect him to be fit.”

Dalgish also reported that the rest of the squad is expected to be fit for the game against the Villans.

He continued: “There are one or two other knocks, but mostly it’s down to their egos being banged by losing to Tottenham, which isn’t a bad thing.

“There’s not too many that should be missing from the squad on Sunday.”