CHARLTON skipper Luke Young has not travelled with the England squad ahead of their international in Macedonia but in-form keeper Scott Carson has been named on standby, writes Gary Haines.

Right-back Young was not in the party for Skopje after suffering a slight ankle niggle and was withdrawn as a precaution.

And with Wigan custodian Chris Kirkland sidelined with a back problem Steve McClaren has drafted in under-21 stopper Carson who is currently pencilled in for action on the same night in Switzerland.

Addicks head coach Iain Dowie has moved quickly to dispel fears defender Young faces another spell on the sidelines.

He said: "It was decided Luke should return as a precautionary measure.

"He has been in outstanding form since the start of the season and we still expect him to be in consideration for the game at the weekend."

Young, who has seven caps for his country, will instead report back to the Sparrows Lane training complex leaving strike ace Darren Bent as the sole Valley man in the England squad.

While Bent will be aiming to feature for his country away from home for the first time, Carson, who travelled to the summer's World Cup, will be waiting by the phone in case of problems to Paul Robinson and Ben Foster.

McClaren said: "We're not calling another goalkeeper into the squad as we have already got Paul Robinson and Ben Foster.

"However Scott Carson, who is with the under-21s in Switzerland is on standby."

Carson, who turned 21 on Sunday, seems likely to win his 21st cap for the under-21s as England travel to Lucerne for a must-win European Championship showdown with the Swiss.

But Darren Ambrose has withdrawn from the party for precautionary reasons due to a tight groin and will make an early return to Sparrows Lane as the Addicks begin their preparations for Saturday's trip to Premiership champions Chelsea.