England U21 boss Stuart Pearce insists there's nothing suspicious in the omission of Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.
Reports have suggested that Pearce was unhappy with the way Carroll pulled out of the last Under-21 squad with an ankle injury sustained in the Barclays Premier League draw with Wolves.
But the under-21 boss maintained that Carroll's absence from his squad was down to nothing more than his loyalty to other players.
"We've had a fantastic squad situation here," said Pearce. "I wanted three strikers in my squad and the three strikers I've got in at the moment have done extremely well for me.
"There was no room for Andy Carroll in the squad in that respect. I've shown loyalty to the three that have done really well for me at the start of the season.
"I have not spoken to Andy. Andy will have a big future in international football. Whether that will be in the next squad, I don't know.
"You have to go through the Under-21s first, he is of that age group and we try to give the players a rounded education at Under-21 and Under-19 level, so when they step on the pitch like a James Milner for example, they have tournament experience and step out on the senior stage like a duck to water.
"It is easy to sit back and make gut reactions without actually knowing the full facts and the development of players. I watch four or five matches a week and I will pick a squad accordingly to try and get the Under-21s to the finals next summer."
