Carrick Returns as Trio Earn Maiden England Call Ups

England manager Roy Hodgson has handed Tottenham Hotspur pair Steven Caulker and Jake Livermore, as well as Chelsea full-back Ryan Bertrand their first full international call ups for the friendly against Italy in Berne on Tuesday.

Caulker spent last season on loan at Swansea City and is expected to play a prominent role at the centre of Spurs' defence this season while the previous campaign represented Livermore's breakthrough at White Hart Lane.

Bertrand, who started May's Champions League final against Bayern Munich and also featured for Team GB in the Olympic football tournament, is included alongside Daniel Sturridge, Tom Cleverley and Jack Butland, all of whom also featured at London 2012.

The most controversial selection comes in the form of Manchester United's Michael Carrick, who was omitted from Hodgson's European Championship squad after ruling himself out of selection on the grounds that he would not be first choice in the England midfield.

However, the inclusion of the 31 year old suggests Hodgson may opt to use Carrick beyond the friendly with Italy, a game which has seen the senior figures of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney all rested.

Frank Lampard and John Ruddy return to the fold after respective abdominal and finger injuries saw them withdraw from the Euro 2012 squad, while Gareth Barry and Scott Parker both miss out with the pair both set to undergo surgery.

After netting his first England goal for four years against Sweden in England's second group game, Theo Walcott has been selected as one of four strikers along with Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe

Having both missed out on Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games through injury, the PFA Young Player of the Year Kyle Walker and Everton midfielder Jack Rowell have also earned call ups.

The friendly is a repeat of the Euro 2012 quarter final, which saw Italy prevail on penalties following a brave rear-guard from England, and works as preparation for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Moldova and Ukraine in September.

The game comes just four days before the start of the new Premier League season and is likely to leave many club managers sweating over the fitness of those included.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Birmingham City), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Jake Livermore (Tottenham Hotspur), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Ashley Young (Manchester United).

Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).