Carrick Ruled Out of Scotland Clash with Eye Infection

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has pulled out of the England squad to face Scotland on Wednesday due to an eye infection, the Football Association have announced.

The 32-year-old was named man of the match in United's 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in their Community Shield triumph on Sunday but will now return to his club where he will be assessed ahead of the club's season opener against Swansea City on Saturday.

Carrick was have likely to been in line to win his 30<sup>th cap for the Three Lions having reclaimed his role in the national side after an exceptional campaign last season where he was named in the PFA's Team of the Year.

A statement from the FA read: "Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has withdrawn from the England squad to face Scotland due to an eye infection.

"Carrick, who has been capped 29 times by England, has returned to his club and misses the game on Wednesday evening."

Carrick will join Ashley Young back at United after the England winger was forced to withdraw from Roy Hodgson's side over the weekend due to an ankle injury that saw him miss Rio Ferdinand's testimonial against Sevilla last Friday and Sunday's Community Shield.

The status of their team-mate Wayne Rooney remains unknown ahead of the visit of Gordon Strachan's side on Wednesday evening.

Despite United manager David Moyes announcing that he did not expect the 27-year-old to be able to complete a full 90 minutes, England boss Hodgson has appears happy with the striker's fitness, insisting the United star doesn't appear to be suffering from any "physical injury."

England and Scotland will renew their old rivalry for the first time since 1999 at Wembley Wednesday evening where the hosts will be under the most pressure, according to Scotland and Celtic captain Scott Brown.

"I think there is a lot more pressure on them to beat us," he said. "We are the underdogs.

"But we have got great players and match-winners as well so we are all looking forward to it.

"It's going to be a great occasion taking the lads out at Wembley. It is going to be huge; it is definitely right up there, bigger than taking Celtic out for the last 16 of the Champions League."