To help your make your starting XI selections we will be dropping in pen pics, plus key statistics, of the 23 men entrusted by Hodgson over the next few hours. These will tell you everything you need to know from their age to their shoe size. OK, that last bit isn't really true, but there will be plenty of vital information in there.

Let's start with the man expected to be named as England's number one - Joe Hart.

Birmingham Mail West Brom reporter Chris Lepkowski on Twitter:, external Sensible, common sense appointment needed. The December-January pursuit was shambolic. Needs to be swift too. Lots to do at West Brom.

If Roy Hodgson's players handle Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica as well as their boss handled the media today, then they should be World Cup winners

But, as the Tweets below show, there has been a mixed reaction across the country. What stage do you think England will reach? And which starting XI you would pick out of that 23-man squad to face Italy on 14 June?

Tweet using #bbcworldcup, text 81111 or post on our Facebook wall., external Like Roy we will only pick the most exciting options. Unlike Roy we won't select on an age basis. So get typing.

Rob Meech on Twitter:, external Roy Hodgson now has the personnel capable of playing a progressive brand of football. Finally, we are out of the dark ages.

Buzzer on Twitter:, external Going with an attacking squad but when it comes to the crunch I bet Frank Lampard and James Milner start v Italy.

Luke Marshall on Twitter:, external Great to see such positivity around the squad choice. Roy Hodgson handled the media incredibly well too.

England manager Roy Hodgson: "We are not thinking about that (Euro 2016) to be frank. It is a long way off. This tournament means everything to us. We want to do very well in it so our focus is on this tournament.

"I refute any claims that some of these players have been selected because of 2016. They are selected because of 2014 and I think that they can do well."

West Bromwich Albion sporting and technical director Richard Garlick claims the club has been left with no option but to part company with manager Pepe Mel. The Spaniard only took charge in January but the Baggies have endured a disappointing season and finished 17th in the table.

"Both Pepe and the club set out with the best intentions of making the appointment work," says Garlick., external "However, having reflected on events both on and off the field during our talks today, it became apparent that it was in the best interests of both parties for there to be an amicable parting."

England manager Roy Hodgson on the selection dilemma between Southampton's Rickie Lambert and West Ham's Andy Carroll: "The fact he played for Southampton had no effect, but Lambert had been with us throughout qualifying campaign. It's great to see Andy Carroll back playing but it was a choice between two players and I didn't think there was room for both."

We're a sucker for a stat at BBC Sport - and here is a gold one. With the absence of Kyle Walker and Andros Townsend, it is the first time since the 1954 World Cup that Tottenham haven't had a player in the England squad for the finals.

Image source, Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion announce, external they have parted company with manager Pepe Mel by mutual consent. Sporting and technical director Richard Garlick says: "We would like to thank Pepe for his efforts over the past four months in helping to keep the club in the Premier League and wish him well for the future."

Former England captain Gary Lineker on Twitter:, external Roy Hodgson is a sagacious old owl. Supremely intelligent man. Handles the media with charm, tact, respect and caution.

Tottenham and England right-back Kyle Walker:, external Gutted to miss the World Cup because of my injury. I'm still a few weeks away from being fit so I understand why the gaffer has left me out. We're taking a strong group of players to Brazil. All the best boys, I'll be supporting you!

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

"England manager Roy Hodgson is handling the inquisition - including some questions laced with less than flattering references to the main sponsors - with aplomb, diplomacy and good humour. Safe to say he is happy to be driving the England vehicle."

Mike Underwood on Twitter:, external Best squad he could have chosen with the players at his disposal.

Irhad Halilovic on Twitter:, external Wayne Rooney will shine, he is in a good form, he should be fresh since he didn't play so many games this season as he usually does.

Joel Farrell on Twitter:, external Roy Hodgson has got that squad pretty much spot on for me but I would swap Lampard, Jones and Smalling for Lescott, Stones and Walker.

Bob, Bury, via text: All this stuff about "mixing experience and youth" in an England set up is just going to teach the kids how to lose a quarter final. We need to create new experiences, not keep repeating the old ones.

Chris, Manchester, via text: Exactly the right squad. All the right noises from Roy in press conference. Quarter finals would be an achievement to be proud of and even if not most of the squad will be there for the following two tournaments where we have a chance.

BBC Sport's chief sports correspondent Dan Roan

"Hodgson asked if England resemble products of their motorcar sponsor; 'reliable but ultimately a little but disappointing'. Handles it well."

England manager Roy Hodgson on the expectations facing his team at the World Cup: "It is hard to quantify expectations. But it would be sad to sit here, as a coach who is excited by the squad, if I didn't believe there were expectations and hopes. As an England player you have to accept it's a great honour playing for your country, playing in a World Cup that you've worked hard to get to. Now the opportunity is yours to take possession of the stage. I hope that's what we do."

Former England captain Gary Lineker on Twitter:, external England's squad: Bags of attacking talent, much unproven but exciting nevertheless, blatantly short defensively through the centre.

Roy Hodgson on what he expects from Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney at the World Cup: "It's very wrong to put the footballing hopes of a country on one man. It would be good for Wayne if the onus of responsibility of leading England and scoring goals is shared and gives Rooney a chance to show other aspects of his game. Time will tell."

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty

"England manager Roy Hodgson is very upbeat about the balance of his squad.

"The remarkable progress of Everton's teenage defender John Stones is underlined by Hodgson confirming he will replace Phil Jones in Brazil should he fail to recover from his shoulder injury."