THIS week, we asked The Legends, “Should Andy Carroll be in the England team to face Montenegro a week on Tuesday?”

MALCOLM MACDONALD

“No, he’s not ready. The time for Andy Carroll to play for England is when he’s absolutely ready, and he’s nowhere near that point yet.

“I was really disappointed when I heard he had been pulled from the Under-21 squad because that’s exactly what he needs at the moment – a decent run of games at Under-21 level to teach him what international football is all about.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think we’ve all been impressed by the way Andy has started the season for Newcastle, but he still has a lot of improvements to make and any weaknesses that are still there will be exposed at international level.

“I can still remember some of my first appearances for England, and international football is completely different to the club game. One day, I hope Andy Carroll is a really successful England player, but it won’t be now.”

BERNIE SLAVEN

“I think he definitely deserves to be in the squad, like David Wheater was a few years ago. But that was all about getting experience, and I doubt whether Andy Carroll is ready to be starting a game for England. He’s obviously started the season very well, and it’s obvious why Capello is looking at him because he’s lost a few strikers and there aren’t many players like Carroll around.

“From that respect, I can understand why the England manager is giving serious consideration to playing him in the next game. If Rooney doesn’t make it, he’s going to be very short of options.

“I don’t think Carroll is the answer because I still think he’s a bit too raw, but then again, it is England we are talking about here.

They’re rubbish, so maybe Carroll’s a bit too good for them rather than not being good enough.”

MICKY HORSWILL

“Put it this way, if he plays and Darren Bent doesn’t, it’ll be an absolute disgrace. If that happens, I’ll never watch England again.

“Bent’s had to wait ages and ages to get a chance for his country, so if Carroll gets in after four or five Premier League matches there must be something wrong.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve liked the kid ever since I saw him as a substitute against Sunderland a couple of seasons back. I’ve defended him when Malcolm has been pulling him to bits. But the England team is different and he’s miles off that yet.

“If Bent is in the team, then I suppose maybe there’s an argument for playing a bigger striker up there with him. But if that’s the case, I would go with Kevin Davies. He’s done the job in the Premier League for a while now, and I’m surprised he’s not had more of a chance for his country.”

■ The Legends were talking to Scott Wilson