Sparky gives AC the World cup nod

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes is the latest ‘face’ in the game to give Roy Hodgson an Andy Carroll World Cup nudge.

Hughes had warned his defenders to brace themselves with the ‘British bulldog’ striker before yesterday’s game against the !rons.

He had said: Hughes said: “Andy gives you a different option and, as a manager, you want as many options as you can get — particularly in a World Cup year.

“If you look at England’s strikers, they are quite similar. They want balls to feet. Carroll gives you that Plan B.”