Roy Hodgson has called up the veteran Manchester United defender for the first time since taking over as England manager, having previously left him out of the Euro 2012 squad.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been included in England’s squad to face San Marino and Montenegro.

The 34-year-old has been called up by Roy Hodgson for the first time, despite the Three Lions manager previously suggesting that the former skipper would not be considered for international duty.

Michael Dawson’s fine form for Tottenham has also been rewarded with his first call-up in two years, replacing Joleon Lescott, who has been starved of first-team football at Manchester City this season.

There are also recalls for fellow Spurs players Jermain Defoe and Scott Parker, while Ben Foster makes his anticipated return to the England fold after recently coming out of international retirement.

England squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster , Joe Hart, Fraser Forster.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand , Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Leon Osman, Scott Parker , Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young.

Forwards: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.

More to follow…