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LUTON. — Everton breakthrough star Ross Barkley was named in a youthful England World Cup soccer squad yesterday, 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 with Barkley (20) 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.
“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, 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, and took his place alongside fellow stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.
Tottenham Hotspur right-back Kyle Walker missed out due to a pelvic injury, however, while Theo Walcott, Jay Rodriguez and Andros Townsend had previously been ruled out by injury.
Walker tweeted: “Gutted to miss the World Cup because of my injury.
“We’re taking a strong group of players to Brazil. All the best boys, I’ll be supporting you!” Phil Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere all overcame injury scares to be included in the 23-man list, but 19-year-old Everton defender John Stones was 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 (Liverpool’s) Jon Flanagan with me.”
England squad for 2014 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic/SCO)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Man 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)
Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Man United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Man United)
Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Man United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC) — AFP.
Online Reporter