England Squad Announced For WC Qualifiers: Rooney & Sturridge Return

England manager Roy Hodgson has announced his 23-name squad for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

England currently sit top of Group H but are just a single point ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro, so Hodgson knows they must go for maximum points to ensure their place at Brazil 2014.

Hodgson has been boosted by the return to fitness of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge. Both missed the qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine last month through injury but are now back to full fitness and in the squad.

Rooney did miss United’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk last night with a minor knock but is expected to be fit for this weekend’s action making him available for England duty on Monday. Southampton’s Rickie Lambert retains his place in the squad and completes the striker list along with Danny Welbeck and Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe.

With Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain currently out injured, the midfield options remain largely unchanged. Everton youngster Ross Barkley retains his place in the squad while Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard are all included.

Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart is in the squad but is under pressure following a night to forget against European champions Bayern Munich last night. Fraser Forester and John Ruddy are the men pushing him for the No.1 jersey.

Here is the full 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers

Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy

Defenders

Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker

Midfielders

Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere

Forwards

Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck

England take on Montenegro on Friday the 11th before welcoming Poland to Wembley four days later.

What do you think of the squad? Is there anyone who should have made it that was left out?