Andy Carroll needs to change his attitude, says Sam Allardyce

Sam Allardyce says Andy Carroll has the ability to become a first-choice striker for England but "does not possess the correct attitude".

Writing in his new autobiography 'Big Sam', the former West Ham boss says Carroll "treats life a bit too casually."

Allardyce, who has recently taken over as manager of relegation-threatened Sunderland, said in an exclusive serialisation in The Sun: "Andy could be an even better player if he pushed himself and put the work in.

"He needs to be more responsible and realise that a football career passes in the blink of an eye.

He gets himself into situations off the pitch which a manager can do without. Big Sam on Andy Carroll

"He treats life a bit too casually. He also gets himself into situations off the pitch which a manager can do without - and so can he.

"He doesn't really like watching football and isn't interested in the history of the game. But, when fit, he should be England's regular centre-forward."