Gareth Barry Overlooked By Roy Hodgson For England Squad

Barry Overlooked Again As England Squad Named For Montenegro And Poland Qualifiers
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Gareth Barry of England in action during the International Friendly match between England and the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium on February 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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Gareth Barry has been omitted from Roy Hodgson's England squad again for the final two World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland.

Barry has impressed on loan at Everton but remains out of favour with the Three Lions coach. His teammate, Ross Barkley, retains his berth however.

Thirty-two-year-old Barry has not played since the pre-Euro 2012 friendly in Norway, where he suffered a tear in his lower abdomen which ruled him out of the Championship.

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Barry trudges off in Norway

Manchester United winger Ashley Young has also been dropped after a dreadful start to the season.

"I don't like to use the word 'dropped'," Hodgson said. "There's only a certain number of players we can pick. He just fell outside the 23, I guess."

Hodgson also dispelled any concerns Joe Hart might have of being dropped in favour of Celtic's Fraser Forster, claiming "as far as I'm concerned he is my number one".

Hart was culpable for all three Bayern Munich goals in Manchester City's 3-1 Champions League defeat and his form has regressed since last year's Euros.

England sit top of Group H, a point ahead of Ukraine and the Montenegrins.

Hodgson could partner Daniel Sturridge with Wayne Rooney for the first time as he looks to capitalise on the duo's good form for Liverpool and United. The pair missed September's qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

The squad will gather at St. George's Park on Monday.

GOALKEEPERS

Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy

DEFENDERS

Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker

MIDFIELDERS

Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere

FORWARDS

Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck