Roy Hodgson has named his squad for World Cup qualifiers in San Marino and Montenegro
Roy Hodgson has named his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro next week.
The England Manager has selected a 26-man squad for the trip, which sees the Three Lions play their first two qualifiers of 2013.
First up is the trip to San Marino on Friday 22 March, before Group H table-toppers Montenegro are the hosts in Podgorica on Tuesday 26 March.
Hodgson has called up Manchester United defender
Rio Ferdinand for the first time during his spell as Manager.
With 81 caps to his name, Ferdinand hasn’t featured for England since the game with Switzerland in June 2011.
And goalkeeper
Ben Foster is back in the squad after his recent announcement that he is available for international selection again.
There are also call-ups for Tottenham Hotspur duo
Scott Parker and
Michael Dawson.
Parker hasn't been in an England squad since last summer's Euro Finals after injury problems kept him out of action in the first half of the season.
And it's a first call-up under Hodgson for defender Dawson, who last featured in the game against Wales in March 2011.
The Squad
Goalkeepers:
Ben Foster , Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.
Defenders:
Leighton Baines,
Gary Cahill,
Steven Caulker**,
Ashley Cole,
Glen Johnson,
Joleon Lescott*,
Chris Smalling,
Kyle Walker.
Midfielders: Michael Carrick,
Tom Cleverley,
Steven Gerrard,
Frank Lampard,
James Milner,
Leon Osman,
Scott Parker ,
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,
Theo Walcott,
Ashley Young.
Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.
* Replaces Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon, who were withdrawn injured.
** Replaces
Rio Ferdinand who has withdrawn.