SPORTS

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  Michael Carrick on course to become longest-serving outfield player to represent England behind Sir Stanley Matthews

  

  

                                                                                            
  Michael Carrick made his England debut against Mexico in May 2001
• The Manchester United man came on against Italy on Tuesday night
• Carrick has been serving England for 13 years and 310 days
• Sir Stanley Matthews played for a staggering 22 years and 228 days                              Michael Carrick's outstanding second-half performance for England against Italy on Tuesday night has put him on course to become the longest-serving outfield player to represent the Three Lions behind Sir Stanley Matthews.
  Carrick made his England debut against Mexico in May 2001 as a teenager with West Ham United and if – as now seems likely – he carries through to Euro 2016, he will be the first non-goalkeeper since the legendary Sir Stanley to have an international career spanning more than 15 years.
  Matthews won his 54 England caps over a 23-year period between 1934 and 1957, interrupted of course by the Second World War.
  

  
  

  Michael Carrick's appearance for England against Italy on Tuesday night keeps him in the longest-serving list
  Carrick has played for England for 13 years, 310 days - while Sir Stanley Matthews reached 22 years, 228 days

  

  
  

  Sir Stanley runs with the ball in action for England against Brazil at Wembley in an international friendly

  Carrick was hailed by Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney as 'the best player on the pitch by a mile' after the 33-year-old was introduced as a half-time substitute in Turin and helped Roy Hodgson's men fight back to earn a 1-1 draw.

  His longevity already surpasses that of great names like Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, David Beckham and Gary Lineker and if he continues to play in the next European Championship he will overtake Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard too.

  The only player to have had a longer career since Matthews is goalkeeper Peter Shilton who played for England between 1971 and 1990.

  It also begs the question why Carrick, who has won four Premier League titles and the Champions League with Manchester United, has been used so sparingly by his country at international tournaments.

  He played once at the 2006 World Cup in a 1-0 victory against Ecuador, was in the squad but never played by Fabio Capello in the disastrous 2010 campaign in South Africa, and wasn't even selected by Roy Hodgson last year in Brazil, even though England's perennial problem has been keeping the ball.

  With Rooney now captain and clearly a huge fan of the midfielder, it seems unlikely Carrick will be overlooked again and is now finally getting the recognition he deserves

  

  
  

  The 33-year-old may still have a few years left but remains a long way off Sir Stanley's record

  

  
  

  Carrick (left) pictured with England team-mates Raheem Sterling (centre) and Danny Welbeck (right)

  CARRICK'S 33 CAPS IN FULL 

  vs Italy, March 31, 2015

  vs Lithuania, Mar 27, 2015 

  vs Poland, October 15, 2013

  vs Montenegro, October 11, 2013

  vs Brazil, June 2, 2013

  vs Ireland, May 29, 2013

  vs Montenegro, March 26, 2013

  vs Poland, October 17, 2012

  vs San Marino, October 12, 2012

  vs Moldova, September 12, 2012

  vs Italy, August 15, 2012

  vs Mexico, May 24, 2010

  vs Egypt, March 3, 2010

  vs Ukraine, October 10, 2009

  vs Slovenia, September 5, 2009

  vs Holland, August 12, 2009

  vs Slovakia, March 28, 2009

  vs Spain, February 11, 2009

  vs Germany, November 19, 2008

  vs Germany, August 22, 2007

  vs Brazil, June 1, 2007

  vs Spain, February 7, 2007

  vs Holland, November 15, 2006

  vs Croatia, October 11, 2006 

  vs Macedonia, October 7, 2006

  vs Macedonia, September 6, 2006

  vs Ecuador, June 25, 2006

  vs Jamaica, June 3, 2006

  vs Uruguay, March 1, 2006

  vs Colombia, May 31, 2005

  vs USA, May 28, 2005

  vs Holland, August 15, 2001

  vs Mexico, May 25, 2001