Monday, 12 May 2014

The 23 Chosen Ones: Here's England's squad for the World Cup as Hodgson puts his faith in youth (and sticks Cleverley on stand-by)

Roy Hodgson has unveiled his 23-man squad to bid for World Cup glory when the Three Lions jet out to Brazil later this summer.
Hodgson confirmed he will be taking a side packed with young talent as England bid to end their 48-year wait for a second world title.
One notable absentee is Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, less than two years after he was tempted out of international retirement by the England manager.
Carrick is a big-name casualty as Hodgson proved his determination to include young midfielders Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere in the 23-man squad.
Hodgson also revealed Everton youngster John Stones will come into the squad if Phil Jones' shoulder injury does not heal in time.
Ashley Cole and Jermain Defoe (with 162 caps between them) are the other most senior internationals jettisoned.
Rickie Lambert, who has scored 14 goals this season, gets the nod ahead of Andy Carroll.
Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who now plays for Toronto FC, is only good enough for a place on the standby list.
Carrick rejected the chance to be on the standby list for Euro 2012, but he has accepted the same position this time around.
THE SQUAD IN FULL
Hart, Forster, Forster, Baines, Cahill, Jagielka, Johnson, Jones, Shaw, Smalling, Barkley, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lampard, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sterling, Wilshere, Lambert, Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck
Standby: Ruddy, Cleverley, Flanagan, Carroll, Stones, Defoe, Carrick
Carrick is joined in Hodgson's contingency planning by Tom Cleverley, who has not made the 23 despite starting nine consecutive games under Hodgson at the start of the 2012-13 season.
Hodgson has selected just four strikers for the tournament in Brazil, which kicks off on June 12.
Wayne Rooney will be the leading striker, with Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Lambert in support. Frank Lampard, 35, makes the cut, but otherwise there is a youthful look about England's midfield selection.
Ross Barkley, 20, has been selected, alongside Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling. Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere are in the 23 despite their recent injury concerns.
Adam Lallana, who has three caps, has been rewarded for a fine year with Southampton by being included.
James Milner also is favoured ahead of the likes of Adam Johnson and Ashley Young - neither of whom made the squad or standby list.
There were no surprises in defence. Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were Hodgson's four centre-halves.
Leighton Baines goes to Brazil as first-choice left-back, with Shaw in reserve. Glen Johnson goes to the tournament as England's only recognised right-back.
Hodgson selected Fraser Forster as third goalkeeper behind Joe Hart and Ben Foster. There was a place on the standby list for Everton teenager John Stones, who only made his first Premier League start in January.
Uncapped Liverpool right-back Jon Flanagan was also on the standby list. Those standby players will fly to Portugal with the squad next Monday for a week-long training camp.
Hodgson admitted the decision to leave out Cole was 'an unbelievably hard' call. 'Ashley is a player that I and the rest of my staff appreciate,' he said.
'He is a magnificent player and what he's done for England is second to none. Luke Shaw has had a wonderful season. He has captured headlines with his form and ability.
'One player has 107 caps and one has many caps to come. It was a hard job to ring Ashley and I can only be unbelievably grateful for the gracious way he accepted the decision.
'Circumstances will prove whether the decision to take the younger player was the right one or not.'

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