Michael Carrick has insisted that there is plenty to be optimistic about when it comes to the state of English football.

Critics have recently pointed to the amount of foreign players in the Premier League as being a major factor in the national team's poor performances at recent tournaments.

However, Carrick, who is currently on England duty for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, believes that there is still a lot of young talent coming through.

"I see a lot of talent, an awful lot of talent, among the boys that are in the squad this week," the Manchester United midfielder is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "There is so much talent there.

"I think you have to have a balanced view. I'm really confident there is a lot of talent in this country to come though this season and for the years after."

Carrick has won 29 caps for England since making his senior debut in 2001.