Will Lambert Call Up Effect West Ham?

With Southampton striker Rickie Lambert earning a somewhat 'shock' England call up, could this effect Andy Carroll's immediate hopes for the 2014 World cup?

Although no player is guaranteed a place in the 24 man squad its safe to assume that Carroll would be high up on the list, due to England's lack of goal-scoring attackers. Now with the long awaited inclusion of Rickie Lambert, if the Saints forward continues to perform well in the League and becomes an International revelation; it would add more pressure on Carroll to perform well at club level, something that should benefit West Ham.

Lambert and Carroll are two similar players, both offer their clubs a big presence upfront and they both prefer to play in the 'Target Man' role, so I would be surprised to see Roy Hodgson play both of them in his actual first choice squad, at the same time.

Are we about to see a head to head battle between the two?

I'm glad Rickie finally earned his England call up, he's performed to a consistently high basis year in year out for Southampton; although he doesn't posses blistering pace neither does Andy. So I think the inclusion can only benefit England and depending on Carroll's worth ethic; it should benefit West Ham,as Carroll has the added competition from Lambert now. On his return from injury he will hopefully pick up where he left off last season.