Hodgson adds Terry to English squad, leaves Rooney out for qualifying games

LONDON - The Associated Press

REUTERS photo

With Wayne Rooney injured, England will be relying on four strikers who aren’t regular starters for their clubs in the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

Manager Roy Hodgson has picked Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck as his forwards. Only Defoe has started both matches in the opening two rounds of the Premier League this season.

Wayne Rooney is out of contention after he hurt his thigh in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Fulham last weekend.

There were few surprises in Hodgson’s 24-man squad. Manchester United winger Ashley Young, who was at Euro 2012, didn’t make the cut, however, with Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott preferred.

Chelsea defender John Terry, who is awaiting a Football Association hearing after being charged with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand last season, is back after being rested for the Italy game.

England plays in Moldova on Sept. 7 and hosts Ukraine five days later.