Mr Carroll’s words sound so hollow now!

Here’s the perfect example of how footballers should perhaps let their feet (or maybe head in this case) do the talking.

Only on Friday Andy Carroll was talking himself up as a World Cup possible after being mentioned once or twice by team-mates and the ever present media groupies.

Today he can do one of two things following the elbowing incidents at Burnley – two in as many minutes – and being roundly condemned by his boss and many fans on social media.

Here’s a reminder of what Mr C had to say about the possibility of making the ‘plane for Russia when it was put to him and my oh my how hollow it all sounds right now :

“It would be nice to be in the squad, it is nice to be spoken about in that way.

“All I have got to do is work hard and hopefully get the call but, at the minute, I am focused on getting fully fit here, scoring goals, and getting good results. If I deserve it, hopefully I will get the call.”

“I am confident of what I can do and it is different to what they have got at the minute. I am fully confident of my ability.

“I am feeling good; I am feeling a lot sharper than I did at the beginning of the season, getting back fit. I have had a run of games. In training, I feel a lot sharper, not 100 per cent yet but I am getting there.”