ROY HODGSON HAS chosen to leave Rio Ferdinand out of his Euro 2012 squad.
There were widespread reports last night and this morning that the Manchester United centre-half was to be omitted and they have proven correct.
John Terry, Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill have been picked in that position with Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole making up the backline.
In midfield, he has surprisingly gone for nine players as there are places for Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Scott Parker, although the Spurs player is struggling to shake off an ankle injury. Arsenal pair Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are also joined by Ashley Young and James Milner on the flanks.
Liverpool winger Stewart Downing also gets the nod despite having an under-par season at club level.
England will travel with just four strikers – Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe – but Rooney is suspended for the opening two games.
They play France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D.
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).
Stand-by: Jack Butland (Birmingham), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea).
Downing selection is laughable.
#COYBIG
No Micah Richards or Peter Crouch?? I’d have had them in..
That squad will be lucky to make it out the group, luckily for them they have quite a weak one in comparison to others. I just feel sorry for them because they are going to be put under pressure to achieve unrealistic targets by british media and the british public
Look at that team. With our ‘personality’ fancy our chances in the quarters against England #coybig
wou
Bad call Roy, put yourself under pressure straight away,, downing???? Henderson in back ups, Rediculous, two average players!
No Hoult? That donkey Carroll