LONDON (AP) - Jermain Defoe retained his place on England’s roster for Wednesday’s exhibition against Denmark despite his upcoming move to Canada.
Defoe, who has 19 goals in 55 games for England, has appeared in only two Tottenham games in two months as he prepares to join Toronto FC ahead of its Major League Soccer season opener at Seattle on March 15.
The forward was included in the 30-man roster Thursday at the expense Andy Carroll, who made five appearances for West Ham between his return from a foot injury in January and his suspension for a red card.
“Carroll has hardly played, but we will be keeping an eye on him,” England coach Roy Hodgson said.
Luke Shaw, an 18-year-old Southampton defender, was called up for the first time.
“Anyone who has watched him play recently will not deny he deserves a place in a large squad like this,” Hodgson said. “He has played extremely well and is a very exciting talent.”
Shaw, among four Southampton players selected, will be competing for a place at left back with Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines.
England has three other exhibitions before the World Cup: against Peru at Wembley on May 30 before a pair of games at Miami Gardens, Fla., against Ecuador on June 4 and Honduras on June 7.
At the World Cup, England plays Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in Group D.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Steven Caulker (Cardiff), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Toronto, Major League Soccer), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)
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