Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live blog of England boss Roy Hodgson's first news conference since the announcement of the England squad for Euro 2012.

Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy have both received their first call-ups, but there is no place in the squad for Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Stoke City striker Peter Crouch also miss out, along with Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker.

(Please refresh this page for the latest updates)

Key points:

- Gerrard named as captain
- Ferdinand decision based on footballing reasons
- Excited about prospect of Oxlade-Chamberlain
- Rooney miss is a blow
- Hodgson has not yet studied England's Euro 2012 opponents

14.16: On Rooney: "Not nice going into a tournament without a top player."

14.15: Assessment of prospects: "Because we don't have that winter break, we are going to have that situation, we are going to have to be careful with what we do with our players in the preparation."

14.12: On the decision to cancel Spain training camp: "It came from the FA... I thought it was a better idea to stay in England."

14.11: On Ferdinand: "I think I have made it clear that it is not because he has not played enough games, I had a decision to make... but I had to pick a squad that I wanted to take to the Euros."

14.09: "I have got to be honest and say I have been balancing two jobs, but balancing the two jobs, I have pushed aside our opponents somewhat... It has been pretty low on my priority thinking about France, Sweden and Ukraine."

14.06: On Terry: "If we take the court case first of all, that's obviously very unfortunate for him but we must emphasise he is an innocent man until such time as he is proven guilty.

"My decision with John Terry was based purely on footballing matters, I was given a free hand as to the squad I picked. I realised that when I selected him there would be people who would raise eyebrows but that's the decision that I've made, that's the decision I shall live with."

14.05: In terms of Carroll: "He is a different type of player, he has that ability to hold the ball up, that aerial ability, and the ability to make runs behind defenders." Hodgson also claims that he spoke to Kenny Dalglish about the player.

14.05: Oxlade-Chamberlain is a "very exciting player... he can play wide and central, he is one for the future".

14.04: In terms of John Ruddy's inclusion, Hodgson said: "John has had an excellent season... he has been a very very important player in that team... I turned to John Ruddy and hopefully he is happy."

14.03: Hodgson claims that the decision to omit Ferdinand was not down to issues with John Terry.

14.02: In reference to Rio Ferdinand's absence, Hodgson calls it "purely a footballing decision... I respect him as a man and as a player."

14.01: Hodgson states that Gerrard "deserves" to be named as the captain for Euro 2012. He added: "I know him as a player and a person and how committed he is to the England cause. He will help me build the team unity and environment we need to thrive in a tournament."

14.01: Hodgson admits that "it has not been an easy squad to put together... it is a well-balanced squad".

14.00: It has been announced that Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has been named as England captain.