Young England head for Brazil; Cole quits

Roy Hodgson has given himself the option to give England a youthful, fresh edge at the World Cup after including Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana in his provisional squad on Monday.

There were no real surprises as the irresistible late-season form of Everton's attacking midfielder Barkley and Liverpool wide man Sterling made their inclusion an easy choice for Hodgson despite having only five caps between them.

Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere got the nod despite ending the season with injuries, while Shaw was chosen ahead of 107-cap Ashley Cole as left-back back-up for Leighton Baines. Southampton provide three players in Shaw, midfielder Lallana and striker Rickie Lambert - who share only eight caps.

England squad: Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, Ben Foster; Defenders: Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling, Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw; Midfielders: Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Ross Barkley, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert.

Cole’s message

Experienced left back Ashley Cole has announced his international retirement following Hodgson’s snub.   "Got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players," Cole tweeted. "I think it best I retire from England team now. We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan."