Hodgson Overlooks Ferdinand in Favour of Shawcross

Rio Ferdinand has again been overlooked for an England recall after manager Roy Hodgson opted to replace the retired John Terry with Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross for the World Cup qualifying double header against San Marino and Poland.

John Terry's retirement from international football and subsequent ban for racial abuse from The Football Association looked likely to pave the way for Ferdinand's return to the fold.

But Ferdinand, who will be 35 come the 2014 World Cup, again missed out, with Shawcross earning a first call-up since 2010 during Fabio Capello's reign.

Shawcross is joined by Arsenal full-back Kieron Gibbs, who returns to the fold after a two-year absence, while Aaron Lennon will look to make his first appearance for England since the last World Cup in South Africa after his latest call up.

The sole debutant in the 25-man squad is Celtic's Fraser Forster, who becomes the first player from the Scottish Premier League since Alan Thompson in 2004 to earn an England call up.

Wayne Rooney returns to the squad following a leg injury which kept him out of the games with Moldova and Ukraine, as does Andy Carroll.

But the big news surrounds the sustained absence of Ferdinand, who after being left out of the Euro 2012 squad, faces an uncertain international future.

Terry opted to retire from international football in the lead up to the FA hearing for allegerly racially abusing Rio's brother, Anton Ferdinand, leaving not only a gaping hole in the England defence but an opportunity to recall the Manchester United centre back without upsetting team harmony.

Despite claims being denied by Hodgson, accusations were rife that Ferdinand's exclusion from the Euro 2012 squad, which came amid Terry being charged by the Crown Prosecution Service of a racially aggravated assault against Anton, was motivated by a desire to keep the two players apart.

England coach Gary Neville said on Tuesday that Ferdinand, 33, would not be included in future squads unless he was first choice in the centre of defence. Ferdinand's last England appearance came in June 2011 against Switzerland.

England squad to face San Marino and Poland in full:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy;

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, Ryan Shawcross, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Adam Johnson, Aaron Lennon, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott.

Forwards: Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Welbeck.