Andros Townsend and Ross Barkley in England squad

Tottenham's Andros Townsend (left) and Everton's Ross BarkleyImage source, Getty Images

The uncapped duo of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley and Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend have been called into the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

Joining Barkley, 19, and Townsend, 22, is the recalled Raheem Sterling, 18.

England coach Roy Hodgson said: "We want to win. Players like Barkley, Townsend and Sterling can make a difference."

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert is retained after scoring on his debut.

In-form Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge returns after injury, while uncapped Celtic keeper Fraser Forster replaces injured West Bromwich Albion keeper Ben Foster.

Barkley played for England at the Under-20 World Cup and caught the eye with a 20-yard goal at Norwich City on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Townsend, who impressed during a loan spell at Queens Park Rangers last season, is selected three months after being punished by the Football Association for betting breaches. He subsequently pulled out of the squad for the Under-21 European Championship to undergo counselling.

When asked about the inclusion of Barkley, Hodgson said: "He impressed me when I worked with him at St George's and at Sheffield Wednesday, and quite a few other people impressed at that that time - Raheem Sterling and of course Andros Townsend, who was on the radar before the Under-21s.

"In choosing these players we are giving ourselves a chance to look at players who are capable of having a bright future.

"They can be players who make a big impact and help you to win. They're there on merit.

"But players need to understand the doors open at senior level, but you don't close the door on under-21."

Forster comes in for West Brom's Foster, who is ruled out for up to 12 weeks after breaking a bone in his right foot against Everton on Saturday.

"It's a great pity as he's been in extremely good form and he's our number two goalkeeper," Hodgson added, "but we have to accept it and wish him well."

England take on Moldova at Wembley on 6 September, before travelling to Kiev to face Ukraine on 10 September.

Hodgson's side are second in Group H, two points behind Montenegro with a game in hand. England also face Montenegro at Wembley on 11 October and Poland at home on 15 October.

The winners of each of the nine groups qualify automatically with the best eight runners-up contesting play-offs over two legs to determine four more qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker

Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere

Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young

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