England manager Hodgson names Euro 2012 squad (From The Northern Echo)

England manager Hodgson names Euro 2012 squad

1:10pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Sport By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

STEWART DOWNING and Andy Carroll have been included in the England squad for this summer's European Championships - but there is no Adam Johnson.

New England boss Roy Hodgson has announced the 23 players that he will take to the Euros in Poland and Ukraine next month.

And, while leaving out Rio Ferdinand has caused the biggest stir nationally, the omission of Easington-born Johnson is the North-East shock.

The former Middlesbrough winger, who has not been a regular in Manchester City's Premier League title success, has been overlooked to accomodate other wingers.

Downing, Johnson's former team-mate at Middlesbrough, has been named in the squad along with his Gateshead-born Liverpool colleague Carroll.

While Ferdinand has not been included Hodgson has named Chelsea skipper John Terry in the group. The other real surprise is the inclusion of winger Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.

Hodgson's first game in charge will be the friendly with Belgium at Wembley on June 2. They will then face France in their opening group game of Euro 2012 in 26 days time.

Johnson and former Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson are among five players placed on stand-by along with Phil Jagielka, Jack Butland and Daniel Sturridge.