England manager Roy Hodgson says he is prepared to leave experienced players out of his World Cup squad.

Hodgson must decide on his 23 names for the tournament in Brazil by 2 June.

Younger players including Southampton's Luke Shaw and Liverpool's Raheem Sterling are in his squad for Wednesday's friendly with Denmark

"I am very conscious that I could have to leave a big name out," he said. "It wasn't easy before the Euros, this time it will be even harder."

Ashley Cole, England's most-capped left-back with 106 appearances, has not played regularly for Chelsea this season and faces competition from Everton's Leighton Baines and the uncapped Shaw from the list for the Denmark friendly.

England's 'strong' squad pleases manager Roy Hodgson

"Before the Euros at least I was choosing names of players I knew and players I had seen play but had never really worked with," said former West Brom manager Hodgson, who was appointed England manager in May 2012.

"This time I will have to disappoint some people I have worked with who have maybe done a good job for me and the team."

The 30 players Hodgson will consider for the meeting with Denmark on Tuesday include several who have been given first caps this season, including Southampton striker Rickie Lambert and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.

More experienced names omitted include Gareth Barry, who has impressed on loan from Manchester City alongside Barkley at Everton, and Sunderland winger Adam Johnson.

"This is not a definitive list," Hodgson added. "The fact someone is on this list does not say he will be going or be one of the seven standby players because I reserve the right to change my mind on those subjects."

England squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).

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 Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).