Andy Carroll Set for England Start in Euro 2012 Showdown Against Sweden

Much-maligned Liverpool striker Andy Carroll appears set to start for England against Sweden at Euro 2012.

Reports (via itv.com) suggest Carroll will replace Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Roy Hodgson's XI, with the England manager keen to expose Sweden's perceived vulnerability in the air.

Sweden have conceded six headed goals in their last six games—most recently losing their Group D opener to two headers from Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko.

Most expect Carroll to be the only change from the England team that drew 1-1 with France last week.

Should he start, the 23-year-old will have a chance to follow Fernando Torres on the road to Euro 2012 redemption.

Torres has been blighted by poor form since his £50 million move from Liverpool to Chelsea in January 2011, but his two goals for Spain against the Republic of Ireland yesterday suggested there may yet be a way back to his best form.

Carroll's move to Liverpool from Newcastle, for a fee of £35 million, was made possible by the funds they got from the sale of Torres.

But like Torres—with whom his name will always be linked—he's struggled to justify his price tag.

Last season, Carroll scored just four times in 21 Premier League starts for Liverpool. Often, he failed to make their starting XI. 

In January, the thought of him even making the England squad for Euro 2012 would have seemed far-fetched.

But a late run of form with Liverpool got him a seat on the plane, and with Wayne Rooney suspended, Carroll appears set to lead England's line alongside Danny Welbeck for their crucial showdown with Sweden.

Opportunity, and redemption, knocks.