Together with Norwich keeper John Ruddy, the Arsenal teenager represents Hodgson's stamp of authority on his Euro 2012 squad.

Yet Oxlade-Chamberlain's presence merely evokes memories of how Sven-Goran Eriksson handled Theo Walcott in 2006, when he selected the then 17-year-old for the World Cup in Germany, and then ignored him completely.

"I wouldn't have chosen him if I didn't think he was ready to start games," said Hodgson.

"I can't guarantee (he'll play). I'm pretty sure Sven selected Walcott for the right reasons as well but, when push came to shove, he wasn't quite up to it in training.

"I'm expecting Alex will be able to deal with that situation.

"He is a precocious talent, who has a maturity beyond his years.

"It won't be easy for him to break into the team but the only way I'll find out is to sling him in at the deep end.

"Even if he doesn't swim now, he'll learn to swim in the future."

If Hodgson is taking a calculated gamble with Oxlade-Chamberlain, he has invested plenty of trust in Liverpool's Andy Carroll.

The suspension that rules star man Wayne Rooney out for the first two group games places more emphasis on the striking department.

Carroll is the only target man remaining in a group that also consists of Jermain Defoe, who has not started for England since September 2010 and Danny Welbeck, currently nursing an ankle injury.

Fabio Capello aired his concerns about Carroll's off-field behaviour and as the 23-year-old laboured through the majority of the season he seemed to have no chance of getting to Poland and Ukraine.

However, the burst of improved form he went on from the middle of April, including giving John Terry a torrid time during two high-profile encounters, changed a few minds.

"I'm not selecting players on the basis of them having one great game," said Hodgson.

"I've been in the game long enough not to fall for that trick.

"Andy Carroll balances up the other type of forwards we have and gives me other options because of his target play and ability.

"It's a profile issue. But it would be fair to say his late burst has given him the nod."

Hodgson did need to speak with Kenny Dalglish though.

And one of the Scot's last tasks as Liverpool manager was to reassure his England counterpart about Carroll's off-field behaviour.

"The conversation with Kenny put my mind to rest with regards to the criticism he's faced for extra-footballing activities," he said.

"That was very important for me."

Much of Hodgson's squad had already made its way into the public domain.

The omissions of Peter Crouch and Micah Richards had been widely reported, the latter man missing out due to the involvement of Phil Jones and Glen Johnson, one of only two players in the squad - new skipper Steven Gerrard is the other - that Hodgson has previously worked with.

Their relationship has not always been smooth.

The full-back got particularly agitated about his one-time manager's public admission that he was not playing particularly well, arguing the observation should have been delivered in private.

"It was a question I answered honestly, but rather unwisely, which gave the appropriate headline," he said.

"Glen was upset that I hadn't protected him more.

"But I don't think that's affected my relationship with him.

"I'm hoping that, when he plays for England, the last thing on his mind is a headline from two years ago."

Hodgson confirmed that Michael Carrick had been overlooked because the Manchester United midfielder had expressed a desire to remain at home, still scarred by his treatment at the World Cup, when he failed to feature for a single minute.

That does not amount to a retirement, although, with the likes of Jack Wilshere and Jack Rodwell set to be available for next season's World Cup qualifiers, it is difficult to see when Carrick's services could be required.

Scott Parker remains a doubt, although Hodgson does expect the injection he had into an Achilles injury on Monday will allow him to take up his place, rather than force a reshuffle that could involve a call-up for Jordan Henderson.

Although Hodgson spoke at various times of being "parachuted in" to the job, he has already made some significant decisions.

Recruiting Gary Neville as part of his coaching team is one, abandoning a planned training camp in Spain next week another.

Instead, with the exception of the Chelsea's Champions League final-bound players and Wayne Rooney, who have been given additional time off, England's squad will gather in Manchester on Wednesday to begin preparations for the friendly with Norway on May 26.

"I can't deny if I'd been working with this team for two years, I'd feel in a superior position to the one I'm in now," said Hodgson.

"But I'm really excited about the task and the senior players I've spoken to, who have one or two tournaments behind them and one or two disappointments, would tell you we can win it."