Rooney captain, Hodgson names new boys

Rooney captain, Hodgson names new boys

Roy Hodgson has named Wayne Rooney as his new England captain, after Steven Gerrard's international retirement. The Three Lions boss also called up four uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming games against Norway and Switzerland. Jack Colback, Calum Chambers, Danny Rose and Fabian Delph are included in a new-look 22-man party.

The 28-year-old Manchester United skipper got the nod ahead of the likes of Chelsea's Gary Cahill and Manchester City's Joe Hart to become the successor to Steven Gerrard, who retired from international football after the World Cup. 

"Wayne is an obvious choice for his honesty, commitment to the cause, his experience, the fact he has already captained England in the past," Hodgson said. "Now of course he's got that responsibility at Manchester United as well. All those factors weighed into my thought process and I'm pleased to be able to say I've been able to offer it to him. I had a long conversation with him and he's prepared to accept the pressures the England captaincy brings. We hope he continues to push on, he continues to play well and he shoulders the responsibility of the captaincy as well as the other captains before him."

Rooney himself responded to the news of the captaincy on his own official website.

To be appointed captain is beyond my wildest dreams.

 I would like to thank Roy for having the belief and confidence in me.

Wayne Rooney, New England captain

“As a kid I always loved the occasion of watching a big England game on the television," Rooney said. "Back then I had a burning ambition to play for my country.  Now to be appointed captain is beyond my wildest dreams. I would like to thank Roy and the coaching staff for having the belief and confidence in me to do the job.”

Rooney, who has worn the England armband on two previous occasions, will lead the new-look England squad. Tottenham winger Andros Townsend returns to the squad after missing the FIFA World Cup™ through injury and there is also a place for Everton's 20-year-old defender John Stones, while Chambers has caught the eye at Arsenal since his £16m move from Southampton.

Danny Rose has been rewarded for his good early-season form with Tottenham and Fabian Delph comes into the squad because of his progress at Aston Villa.

It is Colback's call-up which comes as the biggest surprise. The Newcastle midfielder has rarely been mentioned as a possible candidate for England duty, but Hodgson's hand has been forced by a series of injuries.

Kyle Walker (pelvis), Ross Barkley (knee), Theo Walcott (knee), Glen Johnson (thigh), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Michael Carrick (ankle), Jon Flanagan (knee), Adam Lallana (knee), Chris Smalling (groin), Kieran Gibbs (hamstring), Jay Rodriguez (knee) and Andy Carroll (ankle) are all missing through injury.

England squad for friendly against Norway and UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier against Switzerland:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Everton)

Midfielders: Jack Colback (Newcastle United), Fabian Delph (Aston Villa), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)