TheCable

Manchester United’s Michael Carrick and Chelsea’s Ashley Cole have been left out of a youthful squad of players named by England Manager, Roy Hodgson for the World Cup.

Midfielder Ross Barkley has been selected, with his teenage Everton teammate, John Stones, named on standby. Barkley, 20, who has three caps, is joined by Southampton trio of Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw.

“There were a number of decisions, which were not easy to make,” Hodgson said.

“I hope the squad will give a good account of itself and they won’t let the country down. Do I believe the squad can win the World Cup? Yes, otherwise what is the point of taking a squad to the World Cup. But they are empty words as, if you ask other coaches, they will say the same.”

England begin their World Cup campaign against Italy in Manaus, Brazil on June 14, before further group matches against Uruguay and Costa Rica.

They will play a friendly at Wembley against Peru on May 30, and Hodgson then has to confirm his final 23-man squad selection on June 2.

The Three Lions will also play Ecuador on June 4 and Honduras on June 7 in two friendlies, both of which will be played in Miami, before the World Cup starts on June 12.

England squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Attackers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).

Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC).