Hodgson names England’s Euro 2012 Squad

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the shock inclusion in England’s Euro 2012 squad but there is no place for Rio Ferdinand.

The Manchester United defender’s omission from Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad for Poland and Ukraine was widely anticipated.

But there is a place for Chelsea skipper John Terry as well as Arsenal youngster Oxlade-Chamberlain, who along with Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy is one of two uncapped players included in a squad captained by Steven Gerrard.

Micah Richards failed to win a place on the plane this summer despite his excellent form for Manchester City in their title-winning campaign.

Andy Carroll did make the cut after his late season recovery for Liverpool with Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe providing the other striking options alongside Wayne Rooney.

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.

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard will captain the team while Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole and Blues midfielder Frank Lampard will be offered another opportunity to grace a major tournament. Wayne Rooney makes the cut despite having to serve a two-match ban.

Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, James Milner and Gareth Barry will be hoping to build on their domestic success with Manchester City and add to their Premier League winners’ medal.

Phil Jones and Ashley Young are called up after impressive debut seasons at Manchester United, while Stewart Downing gets a chance to shine after finding his feet at Liverpool.

Gary Cahill of Chelsea, Liverpool’s Glen Johnson and Everton’s Leighton Baines make up the defensive hopefuls and Tottenham’s Scott Parker is in contention for a midfield berth despite concerns regarding his fitness.

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 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.

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 Welbeck and Tottenham hot-shot Defoe for the right to partner Rooney – once he returns from suspension.

Spurs winger Aaron Lennon 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)