England Squad: Hodgson picks Liverpool quartet and Ox

Roy Hodgson has honoured his promise to trust the players who helped Fabio Capello guide England into Euro 2012 by naming an experienced squad for the tournament.

With the exception of third-choice goalkeeper John Ruddy, Phil Jones - profiting from his versatility - Danny Welbeck and wildcard pick Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the travelling party is made up of those who have been involved for a while.

The heavy Liverpool presence after a season in which the majority of their stars flopped is perhaps the biggest shock. Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard were always likely to be chosen, but will be joined by Stewart Downing - who didn't score or set up a Premier League goal - and Andy Carroll.

Downing had been backed at 3.02/1 to make the cut on Betfair, while Carroll was a 3.39/4 prospect before a strong finish to the campaign strengthened his claims.

Late support for Paul Scholes, who having traded at 10.09/1 was backed at 1.454/9 earlier on Wednesday, proved misguided as he wasn't included. Michael Carrick was again overlooked despite support at 1.330/100 in favour of regulars Scott Parker, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and James Milner, with Jordan Henderson the shock standby option.

Another high-profile Manchester United absentee was Rio Ferdinand, once backed at 1.42/5 yet omitted seemingly because of a reluctance to play alongside John Terry, who survived in spite of drifting to 2.245/4 at one point.

Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott were also selected at centre back, with Phil Jagielka unlucky to only make the standby list following his heroics in the recent friendly victory over Spain. The Everton defender had attracted interest at 1.21/5.

Up front, Jermain Defoe appears to have benefitted from Darren Bent's injury problems, the Spurs striker having once been 2.56/4 to the Aston Villa star's 1.3130/100.

Gerrard has been confirmed by Hodgson as captain and is consequently 1.041/25 to lead the team out against France. England are 12.523/2 fourth favourites to win Euro 2012.

The squad:
Hart, Green, Ruddy
A Cole, Baines, Lescott, Terry, Cahill, Jones, G Johnson
A Young, Downing, Gerrard, Lampard, Parker, Barry, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott
Rooney, Carroll, Welbeck, Defoe

Standbys: Butland (who hasn't played higher than League Two level), Jagielka, Henderson, A Johnson, Sturridge

Possible line up v France (4-2-3-1): Hart; A Cole, Terry, Cahill, G Johnson; Lampard, Parker; A Young, Gerrard, Walcott; Carroll