Albion placed on Andy Carroll alert

Keeper Scott Carson today put Albion on "Andy Carroll alert" after getting a ringside view of the striker's first England goal.

Carroll is expected to lead the Liverpool attack at The Hawthorns on Saturday when Carson and boss Roy Hodgson take on their former club looking to boost the Baggies' survival hopes.

And Carson has warned his team mates that the £35 million forward is a man to watch after he scored his first goal since recovering from the thigh injury that delayed his Liverpool debut to help England draw with Ghana.

Carson, who was an unused England substitute, said: "Everyone knows he's a handful and everyone knows his strengths so we've got to prepare for them and hopefully we can keep our own form going.

"Everyone thinks he's a big target man but I think he showed against Ghana on Tuesday in the way he came short for the ball and was laying off short balls that he's got great feet.

"So he showed his game is not all about people hanging the ball up to him to attack headers. He's a top player so we're going to have to be on our guard. He scored a great goal for England on Tuesday night so he'll be full of confidence and it's going to be a difficult game.

"Liverpool are a massive club and they will probably have all their top players back fit again.

"But we got a point against Arsenal, we're on a decent run so hopef-ully if we can carry on our form from before the international break, then we've got to be in with a chance."

Head coach Hodgson will find himself in the spotlight when he takes on Liverpool less than three months after he was sacked by the Anfield club.

Hodgson was targeted with criticism by Reds fans during his six months on Merseyside but Carson does not believe the Baggies boss will be sidetracked at the weekend.

"I don't think he'll be too bothered by the reception he gets from Liverpool fans," said Carson. "I think he'll be more concerned about keeping the Albion fans behind us."