The Liverpool winger could win his second cap for his country while the likes of Jermain Defoe, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Steven Caulker and Tom Cleverley are also included

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling and Southampton left-back Luke Shaw have been named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad to face Denmark, though there is no place for Gareth Barry or Adam Johnson.

Sterling could win his second cap for his country, having previously been selected for the 4-2 friendly defeat to Sweden back in November 2012, while it is the first time that Shaw has been called up after impressing with his performances in the Premier League this season.

Jermain Defoe, who officially becomes a Toronto FC player on Friday, is also named in Hodgson’s squad despite only making one Premier League start for Tottenham since December 7.

Everton youngster Ross Barkley is again named as part of the 30-man party although team-mate Barry, who was widely expected to be given the nod, has been left out along with Sunderland winger Johnson.

There is a place for Danny Welbeck, however, who returned for Manchester United against Olympiakos on Tuesday having previously been out of action since February 1 with a knee injury.

Arsenal midfield duo Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both included, while Glen Johnson is also selected, having returned to action for Liverpool in their 4-3 win over Swansea City.

Full England squad to face Denmark:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Steven Caulker, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere
Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck

The Anfield captain described his team-mate as “the best forward he had ever played with”, which helped persuade the then wantaway Uruguayan to remain on Merseyside

Luis Suarez has revealed the “massive part” Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard played in convincing him to stay at Anfield.

The Uruguay international was embroiled in long-running transfer saga in the summer, with Arsenal making several unsuccessful moves to bring him to the Emirates Stadium after the former Ajax man had intimated he was ready for a fresh challenge.

Suarez, though, committed his future to the Merseysiders with a new long-term contract signed in December, and the Premier League’s top scorer credits the faith and support of Gerrard with persuading him to remain at the club.

“[Gerrard] played a massive part in convincing me to stay,” the 27-year-old told FourFourTwo.

“He didn’t talk about me, or through me, in the press, but in person.

“In those moments I forgot that he was ‘world football great Gerrard’, a Liverpool legend, but as a humble person who spoke to me with all his heart for hours.

“He said I was the best forward he’d ever played with, which given the amazing strikers that he’s played with at Liverpool, was amazing for me to hear. I’ll never forget that.”

Since renewing his deal with the Reds, Suarez has taken his league goal tally to 23 for the season and was even handed the captain’s armband recently – an honour he greatly appreciated.

“It was weird – strange,” he added. “I’d never imagined myself as Liverpool skipper. After everything that had happened with me, to retain the support of the club, the coach and my team-mates showed me they were happy to forget and forgive.

“It proved that my commitment to the club and to my team-mates is genuine and that I’m giving the maximum.

“Everyone here lives to help the club. Being Liverpool captain is something that validates you and makes you feel appreciated because there have been some fantastic leaders here.”

The 31-year-old shot-stopper, who has been linked with Barcelona, says he will wait to go back to Liverpool before deciding his next move

Pepe Reina says his Napoli future will not necessarily be determined by the level of success the club achieves this season.

The Spain international goalkeeper is currently on a season-long loan at Stadio San Paolo from Premier League side Liverpool.

Spanish champions Barcelona – with whom Reina began his career – have been heavily linked with a move for the 31-year-old as they look to replace Victor Valdes.

Reina is yet to reach a decision on his future, though, and intends to return to Merseyside before making a judgement on his next move.

“I need to go back to Liverpool at the end of my loan and I will make my decision there,” he said ahead of Napoli’s Europa League last-32 second leg with Swansea City.

“My future does not depend on our results this season. We are having a good season, it’s a shame we have lost a few too many points at the San Paolo.

“Juventus’ season is overshadowing everyone a little bit. We hold the Europa League in high regard and we have a Coppa Italia final to play. We also must qualify for the Champions League.”

Napoli entertain Swansea on Thursday having secured a 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium last week.

And head coach Rafael Benitez is looking for his charges to play at a high tempo to secure progression.

“Rhythm and speed will be the keys to winning tomorrow,” he commented. “We must also play with lots of intensity because we have seen that the away leg was played at a very high tempo.

“I don’t think possession is all important tomorrow. It will be more important for us to combine our defensive and attacking phases of play well, so that we are well balanced.

“We must be able to create chances to score without risking being hit on the counter-attack.”