Rio Ferdinand hopes England newcomer Andy Carroll will learn from his mistakes after the defender admitted shortcomings off the pitch slowed his own rise to the top of the footballing tree.

England head coach Fabio Capello has confirmed Carroll will make his debut in tomorrow's friendly international with France at Wembley. The Newcastle striker has made a fine start to campaign but has also been on the front pages following some well documented incidents in his private life.

England skipper Ferdinand concedes he was "a social butterfly" himself during the early phase of his career and "made mistakes". But he came to terms with the way he had to live and behave to make the best of his talent and hopes the same will apply to Carroll.

Ferdinand said: "I am sure the manager (Fabio Capello) has spoken to Andy and he has got people at his club who have spoken to him over the situations that have arisen over the last few weeks. As a young lad coming into not only the England set-up, but also being in a goldfish bowl in the north east at Newcastle, sometimes it takes time to understand and take on responsibility.

"I had that as a young player growing up. I had to make mistakes to understand that. It's how quickly you learn and hopefully Andy will be one of the quick learners. With all the stuff that has been documented in the media, hopefully it concentrates Andy to work harder, to look after himself, work hard on the football pitch and he will get the rewards.

"But you have to take each individual case as it comes. I don't think you can just say 'you've got to become a responsible adult when you get in the England squad'."

If there is any advice I can give to players it is to make sure football is the be all and end all in their life and everything else comes a long second.
Rio Ferdinand, England defender

Ferdinand added: "Everyone is different. I grew up with Michael Owen in the England teams. We went to the 1998 World Cup and were two totally different people. I was a social butterfly that wanted to be out and about and see things. Michael wanted to be a professional footballer and do everything he could to be a top player.

"He got to where he wanted a bit quicker than me and I put it down to me not having the right attitude at a young age. If there is any advice I can give to players it is to make sure football is the be all and end all in their life and everything else comes a long second."

Ferdinand will be willing to offer Carroll any advice but not during the current get-together of just three days. He said: "The emotions will be be going crazy in his head right now about being involved with the England squad. It will be nice to let him go away and relax after this, enjoy the moment and get on with playing for Newcastle.

"He will be back in another squad when we will have a lot more time together. If he wants to speak to me, or I feel the need to speak to him, that will be more of an appropriate moment."

Ferdinand is excited about Carroll as a player. He said: "He has done fantastic, he is a real talent, someone who is going to make it awkward for opponents to play against. He is not just a big fellow who can head the ball into the net. Andy has got good feet as well so Newcastle have got a fantastic players on their hands."

Ferdinand admits he and vice-captain Steven Gerrard now feel like the senior statesmen in the squad given the influx of young talent. In addition to Carroll, Capello has confirmed Jordan Henderson will be handed his debut tomorrow evening, while Kieran Gibbs will also play.

Ferdinand said: "Myself and Stevie G had a rest in the training session today, had a look around and said to ourselves 'this is a young squad'. It is great to see the young players come in. I don't think there are many better sights than seeing a young lad getting his England debut, going out, and seeing all the emotions that go with it.

"I look back to when I made my England debut and it is one of the proudest moments of your life. The family is there and you are all emotional. I just hope they go out there and enjoy it and put on the same performance they put on for their clubs. These young lads are not fazed. The best thing about it is all these young lads know each other, coming through the youth teams and the U-21s."