Roy Hodgson insists that nothing is set in stone and places in his World Cup squad are still very much there for the taking.
The England manager named his 30-man squad to face Denmark at Wembley on 5 March and said it was important that fans and players alike do not look at the most recent group as a closed shop.
“That’s a message I’m very keen to put over,” he said.
“I think it would be very foolish in March to give a definite 30-man squad. This is the 30 that I’ve chosen today and I’ll stand by that, but the fact is that this isn’t a final squad.
“I really do hope that people don’t look at this squad as a 30 and some will drop out and the rest will go to Brazil. I’m not prepared to give that guarantee.”
With Andy Carroll’s return to fitness and the fine form of the likes of Gareth Barry and Adam Johnson, speculation had been rife that the trio may have been in-line for England recalls.
But Hodgson explained the thinking behind his decisions – and was keen to emphasise that the door is by no means closed.
“This is a squad I’ve chosen for now,” he added.
Hodgson speaks about the form of some of England's younger players
“Andy Carroll has hardly played but we’re going to be keeping an eye on him. [Adam] Johnson obviously we know – Gareth Barry is a player who has not been with us in the two years, but is playing well at the moment and I wouldn’t be adverse to calling on him if I thought there was a place in the team.
“There’s a lot of football to be played. Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and the Premier League of course. The period between now and May is a very busy one – there will be quite a few times when people will be playing three games a in week. So many things can happen.”
There was, however, a recall for Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling – who has not featured for the senior side since making his debut and only appearance to date in November 2012 friendly against Sweden – and Hodgson said he was delighted to welcome the 19-year-old back into the fold.
“He was with us before, but after bursting into the team and doing very well he disappeared for a while – but it’s great to see him back now stronger than ever,” Hodgson said.
“I’m sure if you spoke to Brendan Rodgers he would say that there’s no doubt that that was just a normal progression for a young player – sometimes you do burst onto the scene and then after seven or eight games the struggle and need to come out for a while.
“But he’s back now and playing as well as he ever has – which is great for both us and Liverpool.”
