England manager Roy Hodgson has named his squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil and the Three Lions boss has selected youngsters Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley, who have impressed this season, for the trip to South America
Luton (United Kingdom): Everton breakthrough star Ross Barkley, 20, was named in a youthful England World Cup squad on Monday, but Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick only made the standby list.
Liverpool's 19-year-old winger Raheem Sterling and Southampton's 18-year-old left-back Luke Shaw also made the cut in a squad that contained only six players with previous World Cup experience.
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England's Ross Barkley in action during England's November 2013 international friendly football match agaisnt Chile at Wembley in north London. Pic/AFP
"They have imposed themselves and imposed their ability in my thinking," said England manager Roy Hodgson.
"If I picked my squad in October after the last two World Cup qualifiers, then it might have looked different."
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole announced his international retirement on Sunday after being informed by Hodgson that he would not be selected, and Shaw took his place.
"Ashley is a player that I and the rest of my staff appreciate," Hodgson told a press conference at the headquarters of one of England's sponsors in Luton, 29 miles (47 kilometres) north of London.
"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."
Cole's Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard was selected, despite doubts about the 35-year-old's inclusion, but Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kyle Walker missed out due to a pelvic injury.
Theo Walcott, Jay Rodriguez and Andros Townsend had previously been ruled out by injury.
Phil Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere all overcame injury scares to be included in the 23-man list, while Southampton striker Rickie Lambert was preferred to West Ham United rival Andy Carroll.
- Jones injury doubt -
Carroll was also named on the standby list, alongside Carrick, Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy, Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan, Everton centre-back John Stones, Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley and Jermain Defoe, now of Canadian side Toronto FC.
Hodgson explained that Everton defender Stones, 19, had been placed on standby due to concerns over the fitness of United defender Jones.
"The only one I would say that seriously poses a question is Phil Jones," Hodgson said.
"He had his shoulder injury a week ago and, from what everyone tells me and my experience, it is a three-week injury to be back and playing.
"But we can't guarantee that so I will be taking John Stones and Jon Flanagan with me. Stones will be Jones's replacement."
England have been drawn in Group D at the World Cup in Brazil alongside Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. Hodgson must confirm his final 23-man squad by June 2.
The squad are due to fly to Portugal for a four-day training camp next week, before returning to face Peru at Wembley on May 30 in their final pre-World Cup game on home soil.
They will then travel to Miami, where they play Ecuador and Honduras on June 4 and 7, before flying to Rio de Janeiro.
England will be based in Rio's Sao Conrado district during the World Cup and will open their campaign against Italy in the Amazonian city of Manaus on June 14.
Cole quits England after World Cup axe
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole announced he was retiring from international football after being told he'd been left out of England manager Roy Hodgson's squad for the World Cup.
"I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players," the 33-year-old Cole told his Twitter followers on Sunday.
"We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything," the 107-times capped Cole added.
Ashley Cole. Pic/AFP
Cole's words indicated his failure to hold down a regular first-team spot at Chelsea this season, where he has been displaced by Spain's Cesar Azpilicueta, had cost him his England career.
"#Baines and #shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get #107 caps #eng," added Cole, who earlier on Sunday started in Chelsea's final league game of the season, a 2-1 victory away to already-relegated Cardiff, on Twitter.
Former Arsenal defender Cole made his international debut against Albania in 2001 and has been an England regular ever since, starting every tournament game since his finals bow against Sweden at the 2002 World Cup.
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