LONDON: Manchester United’s Michael Carrick has been recalled to the England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Italy in Bern, Switzerland.

Manchester United’s 31-year-old midfielder had asked not to be considered for international duty last January, having not featured at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. However, injuries to Scott Parker and Gareth Barry sees his recall alongside Frank Lampard who missed Euro 2012 because of injury.

Jake Livermore, Ryan Bertrand, Steven Caulker and Tom Cleverley are also included while manager Roy Hodgson rests Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott and Chelsea’s Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson and John Terry as well as captain Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney. The Manchester City and Chelsea contingent are expected to play in Sunday’s Community Shield curtain-raiser to the season at Villa Park.

Chelsea’s Gary Cahill, who missed Euro 2012 with a broken jaw, is recalled along with Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, who also missed the tournament through injury.

Liverpool’s Andy Carroll is included despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future, while Theo Walcott has been selected among the forwards.

Carrick has not been involved with an England squad for two years and withdrew himself from contention for Euro 2012 earlier this year having become disenchanted with his lack of opportunities to start matches for England.

The former Tottenham man, who earned the first of his 22 caps in 2001, has largely been overlooked by England despite winning four Premier League titles and the Champions League during his six-year tenure at Old Trafford.

Last month, Carrick hinted he would be open to the fold should Hodgson call on him. The England manager has given plenty of thought to recalling Carrick and with Scott Parker and Gareth Barry, ruled out with injury, decided to recall him.

Carrick is one of only a handful of senior players in an otherwise youthful looking squad. The omission of England’s more established players is an attempt by Hodgson to balance the demands of the clubs with preparing a competitive team for the game in Switzerland.

The squad

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

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