Uncapped Southampton left-back Luke Shaw has been called up to the England squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Denmark. The 18-year-old has been named as part of a 30-man squad for the game at Wembley, with fellow left-backs Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines have also been included.
Cardiff defender Steven Caulker has been called up in place of injured Manchester United man Phil Jones.
Shaw's Southampton colleagues Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez retain their places while Jermain Defoe is included following his move to Toronto FC.
“It’s a very proud day for me, I still cannot believe it,” Shaw told Southampton’s website. “I’m only 18. I cannot believe it. I am really excited. It’s a massive confidence boost for me.
“Roy rang me this morning and told me I was in the senior team, and that I was there on merit. I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t know what to say.”
Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andros Townsend also make the 30 but there is no place for in-form Sunderland winger Adam Johnson. Andy Carroll has also been overlooked despite his recovery from a serious foot injury. Hodgson has opted to pick Saints' Rickie Lambert ahead of the West Ham man.
Hodgson has named four goalkeepers for the friendly — Joe Hart, fit-again Ben Foster, Fraser Forster and John Ruddy.
Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland had been tipped for a senior call-up, but he is named in the England Under-21 squad for Wednesday’s game against Wales in Derby.
Ravel Morrison and James Ward-Prowse have also been named in that squad by coach Gareth Southgate.
The Denmark game will be the last the Three Lions play before Hodgson selects his World Cup squad.
With the likes of Carroll, Ashley Young and in-form Everton midfielder Gareth Barry missing out on his squad, Hodgson was quick to rebuff claims no players could work their way into his thinking before the World Cup. When asked if other players had run out of chances, Hodgson said: “No. That is the message I’m keen to put over. It would be foolish in March to give a definitive 30 man-squad. Anyone I might decide I want to take if they are not in this 30, I am entitled to do that.
“Andy Carroll has hardly played but we will be keeping an eye on him. Gareth has not been with us in the two years but he is playing well at the moment and I wouldn’t be averse to calling him up if I thought he had a place in the team.”
Likewise, Hodgson stressed those players named in his squad to face Denmark should not rest on their laurels.
“I’m not prepared to give that guarantee,” he added. “Anyone who thinks that may find themselves disillusioned. There is still plenty of football to be played. The period now between March 5th and May 11th is a very, very busy period. There are quite a few weeks where people will be playing three times.
“I think I have chosen a strong 30-man squad here, having a 30-man squad is good. I shall just wait and see and on a weekly basis maybe have to reassess.”
England Squad
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).
Guardian Service
