Sam Allardyce: Andy Carroll and Rickie Lambert to compete for England spot

Rickie Lambert will be competing with Andy Carroll for the England spot.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce feels Andy Carroll and Rickie Lambert will fight for England spot for the 2014 world cup.

Lambert had scored his debut goal and winner for England against Scotland on Wednesday. Carroll missed the match due to heel injury.

Allardyce said: “I think there’s a choice for that type of player between Andy and Rickie. It’s going to be a challenge this season on who’s the best of the two.”

England are second to Montenegro in their World Cup qualifying group with three games left, but if they win their match in hand they could go one point clear at the top.

He further said: “Andy is looking forward to playing for us and doing a great job, which we would hope will get him to Brazil. I’m sure Rickie is the same. One or the other would go.

“I think it will be a competition between the two on who consistently plays the best this season. From a selfish point of view I hope it’s Andy.”

“For Rickie it was great to see him come on and make a statement.

“To get the winner against Scotland shows what he can do and what England might be missing a bit.

“It shows you have to have other dimensions in your squad no matter what level you play at.”

Lambert had played only for three minutes when he scored. It turned out to be the winner against Scotland, with his first touch.

He had also hit the woodwork and saw another saved by the Scottish goal-keeper from point-blank range.