Uncapped duo in, Ferdinand out for England

New England manager Roy Hodgson has included uncapped midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and goalkeeper John Ruddy in his 23-man squad for UEFA EURO 2012, but there is no room for Rio Ferdinand.

Hodgson – the long-term successor to Fabio Capello, who resigned in February – took up the England role full time this week after his last game in charge of West Bromwich Albion FC.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, has impressed in his first season at Arsenal FC, including becoming the youngest Englishman to score in the UEFA Champions League, while Ruddy will provide back-up for Joe Hart along with Robert Green.

Ferdinand, meanwhile, has not played for England this season due to injury and John Terry, Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott have been preferred in central defence. In midfield, regular starter Scott Parker has been struggling with an Achilles problem but is included. Right-back Kyle Walker is ruled out with a toe problem, joining Jack Wilshire and Chris Smalling on the sidelines. Steven Gerrard has been named captain.

"It has not been an easy squad to put together but I am pleased with the outcome," Hodgson said. "John Ruddy has had an excellent season at Norwich. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has had a big impression on me, particular versus Milan.

"Andy Carroll is a different type of player. He is good in the air, he can hold the ball up and get inbehind. I gave an awful lot of thought to me strikers. I'm hoping the balance of the squad can be maintained by using [Theo] Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and [Ashley] Young."

Prior to leaving for the finals, England play Norway in Oslo on 26 May then welcome Belgium to Wembley on 2 June. Nine days later they kick off UEFA EURO 2012 Group D against France in Donetsk, where they return to face co-hosts Ukraine after a trip to Kyiv for an encounter with Sweden. Wayne Rooney is suspended for the matches against France and Sweden.

England squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City FC), Robert Green (West Ham United FC), John Ruddy (Norwich City FC).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton FC), Gary Cahill (Chelsea FC), Ashley Cole (Chelsea FC), Glen Johnson (Liverpool FC), Phil Jones (Manchester United FC), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City FC), John Terry (Chelsea FC).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City FC), Stewart Downing (Liverpool FC), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Frank Lampard (Chelsea FC), James Milner (Manchester City FC), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal FC), Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Theo Walcott (Arsenal FC), Ashley Young (Manchester United FC).

Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool FC), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC)*, Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United FC).

*Suspended for first two games.