Roy Hodgson sprang no real surprises when he announced his 23-man England World Cup squad which included exciting youngsters Raheem Sterling, Luke Shaw, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Michael Carrick, Andy Carroll and Kyle Walker were the most notable absentees from Hodgson’s party for Brazil.

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 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. 

Carrick is joined in Hodgson’s contingency planning by 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 12.

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.

Barkley, 20, has been selected alongside Liverpool teenager Sterling.

Arsenal duo 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 is also 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 with Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling being 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.

England 23-man squad —

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere

Strikers: Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck