Roy Hodgson has named the 23-man squad he hopes will carry England to Euro 2012 glory, with reports of Rio Ferdinand’s omission proving to be correct.

Hodgson officially inherited the Three Lions reins at the end of the Premier League season, when his contract at West Bromwich Albion expired. His first task was to identify those players he feels will serve the country well at this summer’s European Championship.

England are readying themselves for their first Euro appearance since 2004 and have been placed in a tough-looking group alongside France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine. Hodgson has already admitted that he would consider anything less than a quarter-final appearance to be a disappointment.

Uncapped

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a surprise inclusion, as he is yet to be capped at senior level, but the 18-year-old’s performances for Arsenal suggest he is ready to make the step up alongside club colleague Theo Walcott.

Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy will also be involved in the senior set-up for the first time following an impressive Premier League campaign and West Ham’s Robert Green will hope to be a top-flight performer again by the time the competition gets underway.

Andy Carroll is rewarded for his fine form towards the end of the season with Liverpool with another international call-up and he will be competing with Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck and Tottenham hot-shot Jermain Defoe for the right to partner Rooney – once he returns from suspension.

Spurs winger Aaron Lennon, Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge are among the notable absentees, while Hodgson has decided against gambling on the fitness of Tottenham defender Kyle Walker and Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

Sturridge has been placed on standby, along with Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson and Jack Butland.

England’s 23-man squad for Euro 2012:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man United), James Milner (Man City)

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)

 

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