Terry in, Ferdinand out of England squad

Former captain John Terry was included in England’s European Championship squad on Wednesday despite facing trial immediately after the tournament for racially abusing an opponent.

The Football Association’s decision to strip Terry of the England captaincy in February over the alleged racial abuse of Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand led to coach Fabio Capello quitting.

However Capello’s replacement, Roy Hodgson, named Terry in the 23-man Euro 2012 squad before revealing Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will be the new England captain. 

Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, the brother of Terry’s alleged victim, remains out of the England squad having not played for the national team since June 2011.

England’s Euro 2012 opener is against France on June 11 followed by matches against Sweden and Ukraine.

Striker Wayne Rooney is included despite being suspended for the opening matches against France and Sweden after being sent off in England’s last qualifier in October.

Hodgson will have to choose between Danny Welbeck, Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll for his strike force against France and Sweden.

Impressing for Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been called up for England team for first time [GALLO/GETTY]

Hodgson has retained 11 members of the squad Capello took to South Africa two years ago for the World Cup and went out in the last 16.

But Hodgson has given 18-year-old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has started just six Premier League games for Arsenal, and Norwich’s 25-year-old goalkeeper John Ruddy their first international call-ups.

Ruddy has been allowed to miss England’s final warm-up match on June 2 against Belgium at Wembley Stadium – so he can go ahead with his wedding.

England’s other warmup match is against Norway in Oslo on May 26.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Glen Johnson (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (CAPTAIN -Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Manchester United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andy Carroll (Liverpool).