Ashley Cole announced his international retirement on Sunday night after manager Roy Hodgson picked Luke Shaw instead for his 23-man England World Cup squad.

Shaw, the 18-year-old Southampton left back, will be one of at least eight players under the age of 24 — including Everton playmaker Ross Barkley, 20 — named by Hodgson at 2pm today. Cole revealed the news on Twitter last night, posting a series of emotional messages after being told by Hodgson he would not be going to Brazil.

The Chelsea defender said:  ‘I got the call from Roy and agree the England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from the England team now.

In: Luke Shaw will go to the World Cup ahead of long-time left back Ashley Cole

Finished: Cole, who has 107 England caps, will retire from international football

Service: Cole made his England debut against Albania in March 2001

'We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything.'

'Baines and Shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future  of this country. It was a pleasure to get 107 caps.'

'Like me or not, trust me it’s hurt me to stop playing for my country.'

It is understood that Cole refused to go on Hodgson’s World Cup squad standby list, believing that at the age of 33 and with a long England career behind him, he has nothing more to prove.

Liverpool’s Jon Flanagan will be named on the reserve list to provide cover for Leighton Baines and Shaw.

Hodgson said: ‘This has been one of the hardest decisions of my career. The most important factor was speaking to Ashley prior to the announcement. He deserved to hear it directly from me and he took the news with huge grace.

'I must respect his decision to retire. He has been one of England’s finest players, but I want to look to the future.'

Give youth a chance: Roy Hodgson will turn to England's young players when he names his World Cup squad

Named: Everton youngster Ross Barkely is also in the squad

Facing the axe: Manchester United pair Michael Carrick (left) and Ashley Young are expected to miss out

Along with Shaw and Barkley,  Phil Jones (22), Jordan Henderson (23), Jack Wilshere (22), Raheem Sterling (19), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (20) and Danny Welbeck (23) will be named in the travelling party.

Shaw has enjoyed an impressive season at St Mary’s and was last night reported to be the subject of a £27million bid from Manchester United.

His chances of being named in the squad were given a massive lift when Hodgson decided not to attend Cole’s comeback match for Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final first leg last month.

Barkley, who has come to prominence again after his special strike against Manchester City on May 3, has made three appearances for his country.

He was rested from Everton’s 2-0 victory at Hull’s KC Stadium yesterday but his emergence is likely to signal the end of Michael Carrick’s international career after a difficult season with Manchester United.

Although Carrick was named United’s player of the year in their last title-winning season under Sir Alex Ferguson, he has never established himself as a regular international under Hodgson.

Risky: Arsenal duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (above) and
Jack Wilshere (below) will both be included despite their injury concerns

His United team-mate Ashley Young, who hasn’t played for England since a qualifier against Ukraine in September, is also facing the axe.

Although Hodgson insisted this month he is under no pressure from FA chairman Greg Dyke to pick young players, he will take at least eight with fewer than 10 caps each.

England’s Under 21 coach Gareth Southgate hinted last week that the full squad, who report for a World Cup training camp on May 19, will have a younger feel to it.

Southgate, who names his squad for the Under 20 tournament in Toulon tomorrow, met Hodgson last week to discuss his selections.

Hodgson claims he made his choices several weeks ago and has been unmoved by the form of a number of players.  He will include Arsenal duo Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wilshere despite their injury problems.

Oxlade-Chamberlain returns to training this week and is in contention for a place in the FA Cup final against Hull at Wembley on Saturday.

Keeping his place: Phil Jones has overcome his shoulder problem to make the 23

Fire power: Hodgson will stand by Rickie Lambert, who was a vital part of the qualifying campaign

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: ‘The news is good — he should re-integrate into our squad for normal training. He is available to Roy and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is picked.’

Wilshere played 27 minutes at Norwich yesterday in his first appearance since hobbling off with a fractured foot during England’s friendly against  Denmark on March 5. Wenger added: ‘The World Cup is one month away, that’s plenty of time. It just shows you he has no problem to be available.’

Hodgson’s striking options were restricted last month when Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a Premier League game at Manchester City.

His absence means clubmate Rickie Lambert, who scored against United yesterday, is likely to keep his place in the 23.

Jermain Defoe, who moved to MLS side Toronto in January, may have to make do with a place on stand-by.

Norwich keeper John Ruddy, who hasn’t played for England since the friendly against Italy in August 2012, will miss out.

Overlooked: Toronto FC striker Jermain Defoe will be placed on stand-by

Replacement: John Ruddy (left) will lose his place as the third choice goalkeeper to Fraser Forster