Ferdinand’s England career in doubt as Hodgson leaves defender out

England manager Roy Hodgson has named his latest England team for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland next weekend, but there is no place for Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, whose England career is now in huge doubt. There is, however, a place for Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Foster and a return for Wayne Rooney, who missed the last two qualifiers through injury.

Hodgson had left Ferdinand out of his Euro 2012 squad, preferring former skipper John Terry, but since Terry’s retirement from international football, it had been expected that Ferdinand would return to the set-up, however, Hodgson has gone with youth, handing the uncapped Shawcross a chance to impress on the international stage.

England currently sit third in Group H with four points and face San Marino on Friday evening at Wembley, before travelling to Poland on Wednesday night.

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Ryan Shawcross (Stoke), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Sunderland), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Frank Lampard(Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Forwards: Andy Carroll (West Ham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)

The editorial unit