Michael Carrick, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker have been left out of the 23-man England World Cup squad named by Roy Hodgson for Brazil this afternoon.
Carrick has paid the price for a poor season with Manchester United while West Ham striker Carroll has been named on the standby list after a season ravaged by injury. Tottenham defender Walker misses out due to a pelvic injury.
As expected, teenage left back Luke Shaw makes the cut ahead of Ashley Cole, who retired from international football on Sunday night after being told he had not made the squad.
Rickie Lambert, who has scored 14 goals this season, gets the nod ahead of Carroll. Former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who now plays for Toronto FC, is only good enough for a place on the standby list.
Carrick rejected the chance to be on the standby list for Euro 2012, but he has accepted the same position this time around. He is joined in Hodgson's contingency planning by United team-mate Tom Cleverley, who has not made the 23 despite starting nine consecutive games under Hodgson at the start of the 2012-13 season.
Hodgson has selected just four strikers for the tournament in Brazil, which kicks off on June 12th.
Wayne Rooney will be the leading striker, with Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Lambert in support.
Frank Lampard, 35, makes the cut, but otherwise there is a youthful look about England's midfield selection.
Ross Barkley, 20, has been selected, alongside Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling. Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere are in the 23 despite their recent injury concerns.
Adam Lallana, who has three caps, has been rewarded for a fine year with Southampton by being included. James Milner also is favoured ahead of the likes of Adam Johnson and Ashley Young — neither of whom made the squad or standby list.
There were no surprises in defence. Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling were Hodgson’s four centre-halves.
Leighton Baines goes to Brazil as first-choice left back, with Shaw in reserve. Glen Johnson goes to the tournament as England’s only recognised right back.
Hodgson selected Fraser Forster as third goalkeeper behind Joe Hart and Ben Foster. There was a place on the standby list for Everton teenager John Stones, who only made his first Premier League start in January.
Uncapped Liverpool right back Jon Flanagan was also on the standby list. Those standby players will fly to Portugal with the squad next Monday for a week-long training camp.
Hodgson admitted the decision to leave out Cole was “an unbelievably hard” call. “Ashley is a player that I and the rest of my staff appreciate,” he said. “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.
“Circumstances will prove whether the decision to take the younger player was the right one or not.”
While Hodgson’s selection is notable for its youthful appearance, Chelsea’s veteran midfielder Lampard — who turns 36 in June — has made the cut and will feature at his third World Cup.
“Frank is a very important part of our set-up and you shouldn’t think about players in terms of age, but of position,” Hodgson added. “When you’re in midfield you have many more positions to choose from.
“Frank has been captain on many occasions and has been vice-captain to Steven Gerrard.
“He still plays an important role for his club and we think his leadership qualities and his abilities will help us in the summer.”
The inexperience of the England squad’s newest members — including Sterling of Liverpool, who lost his place towards the end of the qualifying campaign — will not pose a problem in Brazil, according to Hodgson.
He added: “You get experience by getting the opportunity. “It’s wrong to focus totally on the fact there are those who are inexperienced because everyone is inexperienced until they get the chance to do the job.
“I think they’ve played so well and been so effective in their club teams that they’ve really imposed their ability on my thinking.
“I’m sure if I’d picked a squad after the final qualifier in October it would have looked quite different but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.
“You can’t ignore what people are doing on a week-to-week basis and your decision is based on who is the best man for the job.
“In October I didn’t think Raheem Sterling was having the impact he has had since.”
England squad: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic), Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Ross Barkley (Everton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere(Arsenal), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).
Stand-by players: 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).
GOALKEEPERS
Joe Hart (Manchester City) — England’s number one deserves immense credit for the way he bounced back after being dropped last autumn.
Ben Foster (West Brom) — Is yet to rediscover the form he enjoyed prior to his injury, but is still England’s best back-up to Hart.
Fraser Forster (Celtic) — Beat John Ruddy and Jack Butland to the final goalkeeper’s spot after a fine season north of the border.
DEFENDERS
Glen Johnson (Liverpool) — Injury to Kyle Walker leaves Johnson, who has played well since his return to fitness, as England’s undisputed first-choice right-back.
Leighton Baines (Everton) — Has enjoyed a superb season with Everton. Deservedly now first-choice for his country too.
Luke Shaw (Southampton) — The precociously-talented teenager picked ahead of his boyhood idol Ashley Cole after a fine season for Saints.
Phil Jagielka (Everton) — One of the main reasons behind Everton’s push for Champions League football this year. Solid and calm under pressure.
Gary Cahill (Chelsea) — Has been so good this year that he has outshone John Terry and kept Barcelona target David Luiz out of the Chelsea team.
Phil Jones (Manchester United) — Fit to be selected despite a shoulder injury, according to Ryan Giggs. Versatility ensures his selection despite poor year at club level.
Chris Smalling (Manchester United) — Not in the greatest form but has always been in Roy Hodgson’s thoughts. His versatility no doubt helped.
MIDFIELDERS
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) — Has been struggling with injury of late, but showed how dangerous he can be with his goal against Brazil in the Maracana last June.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) — Another stop-start season due to injuries. Still one of the most talented players this country has produced for a long time though.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea) — The best years are behind the midfielder yet the 35-year-old has an important role to play in South America.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) — England’s leader in battle. The skipper has adapted well to a deeper role which allows him to dictate the tempo of the game and spray dangerous through-balls.
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) — Some would have gone into their shell after being mocked for their running style, but Sir Alex Ferguson’s jibe has only spurred the midfielder on to produce the best form of his career.
Ross Barkley (Everton) — A supremely talented midfielder capable of scoring stunning goals as Newcastle and Manchester City found out to their cost.
James Milner (Manchester City) — Mr Versatile of the England squad, he works tirelessly and is diligent in his approach. Could do with more goals.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) — The answer to Hodgson’s attacking prayers following Theo Walcott’s knee injury. Has improved wonderfully this term and has pace to burn.
Adam Lallana (Southampton) — Nominated for the Professional Footballers Association Player of the Year award for his wonderful campaign at Saints, he has also impressed in an England shirt. A starting berth in Brazil is a distinct possibility.
FORWARDS
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) —
England’s biggest threat. A certain starter if, as expected, he recovers from a groin problem. Can he finally score his first World Cup goal at his third tournament?
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) — Responsible for a fifth of Liverpool’s goals this term. In the best form of his career domestically. Now needs to produce the goods on the international stage.
Danny Welbeck (Manchester United) — The injury to Jay Rodriguez rubbed-stamped the Manchester United attacker’s place. Direct style of play and decent finisher.
Rickie Lambert (Southampton) — Not just a target man, the 32-year-old has provided 10 assists as well as scoring 13 this season. This is the latest chapter in his remarkable journey from the lower leagues.
