Andy Carroll made it clear he is still holding on to his World Cup dream after being put on standby for Brazil by boss Roy Hodgson.

The England striker jetted off on holiday with girlfriend Billi Mucklow after West Ham's final game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday

The couple pitched up in Dubai and Mucklow posted a picture on her Instagram account saying; 'There's no place I'd rather be.' But after Roy Hodgson had announced his 23-man squad on Monday, Carroll added the cheeky comment: 'I know a place I would rather be!!! #brazil.'

Carroll was one of seven players put on standby but boss Roy Hodgson was unable to tell Carroll because of a communication breakdown.

Sportsmail understands the England boss attempted to contact Carroll after the final game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday, but it seemed the West Ham man was already jetting off on his holidays with Mucklow.

John Stones, Tom Cleverley, Jon Flanagan, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe were also named on the standby list.

Off we go! Carroll posted this picture on Instagram as he jetted off to Dubai with girlfriend Billi Mucklow

Off you go: Carroll played his last football match of the season for West Ham on Sunday but was subbed off on the 72nd minute

Hodgson has opted to fill the extra striker role with Southampton's Rickie Lambert, alongside Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck.

Ashley Cole announced his international retirement on Sunday night after manager Hodgson picked Luke Shaw instead for his squad for Brazil.

Shaw, the 18-year-old Southampton left back, is one of at least eight players under the age of 24 — including Everton playmaker Ross Barkley, 20 — named by Hodgson.

Along with Shaw and Barkley,  Phil Jones (22), Jordan Henderson (23), Jack Wilshere (22), Raheem Sterling (19), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (20) and Welbeck (23) will be named in the travelling party as Hodgson opts for youth in South America.

Reserve: West Ham striker Andy Carroll is on standby for the World Cup this summer

Give youth a chance: Carroll is said to have missed a call from England manager Roy Hodgson

Up top: Rickie Lambert will be chosen in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad as the fourth striker