England bank on youth power in FIFA

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. “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. “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 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.
“He is a magnificent player and what he’s done for England is second to none. Luke Shaw has had a wonderful season and captured headlines with his form and ability.” “It was a hard job to ring Ashley and I can only be unbelievably grateful for the gracious way he accepted the decision.” Frank Lampard was selected, despite doubts about his 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 who was also named on the standby list, with Carrick, Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy, Liverpool full-back Jon Flanagan, Everton centre-back John Stones, Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley and Jermain Defoe.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Fraser Forster
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere
Forwards: Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck
Standbyes: John Ruddy, Jon Flanagan, John Stones, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe