Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has earned a recall to Roy Hodgson's England squad for the World Cup qualifying double header against San Marino and Montengro.

Ferdinand hasn't made an international appearance since June 2011 against Switzerland, having been omitted from every squad during Roy Hodgson's era as manager, missing out of Euro 2012 selection amid his connection to the racially aggravated assault charge against John Terry, for which he was cleared, which involved Rio's brother Anton.

Hodgson had consistently maintained Ferdinand would not return to the international setup, claiming his exclusion was down to 'footballing reasons' and that any recall would be hindered by his inability to feature in consecutive games and his age against fellow competitors for the centre-back position.

Ferdinand is back in the England fold for the first time under Hodgson.

'I've been following Rio for a long time now, he's playing well and his team are playing well and he deserves it," Hodgson said.

"I'm convinced he can help us win these two matches. You bring players like Rio in to make the team better and give you a better chance'

"Rio is in the squad to play. He's selected because he's capable of doing the job we want him to do.'

"I haven't spoken to any of the players personally, so I'm hoping he will be happy to be selected and looking forward to it.'

"It was a no brainer for me to bring Rio back. No sinister reasons behind him not being selected in the past."

Ben Foster returns to the England squad after making himself available for selection after reversing his decision to retire from international football. Scott Parker, who hasn't featured since last summer's European Championship, is also included while Michael Dawson is also invovled for the first time under Hodgson hoping as he hopes add to his four caps.

Jack Wilshere and Phil Jagielka are both out with respective ankle injuries, while Joleon Lescott also misses out after limited playing time with Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Stuart Pearce's 28 strong Under-21 squad for the games against Romania and Austria includes Jack Butland, Steven Caulker, Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Zaha, and the uncapped Luka Shaw and Tom Carroll are both included.

England squad to face San Marino and Montengro

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker , Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.

Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.

England Under-21 Squad to face Romania and Austria

Goalkeepers: Ben Amos, Jack Butland, Declan Rudd, Jason Steele

Defenders: Ryan Bennett, Steven Caulker, Nathaniel Clyne, Craig Dawson, Tom Lees, Jack Robinson, Danny Rose, Luke, Shaw, Adam Smith, Andre Wisdom

Midfielders: Tom Carroll, Nat Chalobah, Jordan Henderson, Henri Lansbury, Jason Lowe, Josh McEachran, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend

Forwards: Nathan Delfouneso, Tom Ince, Marvin Sordell, Wilfried Zaha

Manchester United FC Wayne Rooney