The Manchester United striker was also absent from his side's Champions League game on Wednesday night with a bruised shin.
Hodgson said: 'I’ve been assured the injury is not too serious, he will join up with us next week.'
Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend, who were also in the last squad, have been given the nod again.
The England manager was selecting the men who he will call on for crunch World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro on Friday October 11 and Poland on Tuesday October 15.
Injury scare: Wayne Rooney missed Manchester United's Champions League game with a shin problem
Delighted: Celtic boss Neil Lennon tweeted that he was happy to see Fraser Forster in England's plans
Fine fettle: Forster was in spectacular form for Celtic against Barcelona on Tuesday night
Rickie Lambert, who has taken to international football with aplomb, has been retained, while fellow striker Daniel Sturridge also returns after pulling out last time through injury.
England top European World Cup Qualifying Group H with 16 points from eight games, ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro on 15.
Rooney gave the England boss a scare when he was revealed to have suffered a swollen shin after clashing with United and England team-mate Danny Welbeck in training.
But United manager David Moyes believes Rooney could even recover in time for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.
On the face of it: Roy Hodgson wears a puzzled expression during his press conference
Water relief: Hodgson takes a swig of water as he announces his squad
How things stand in Group H
In the hot seat: Roy Hodgson has named his squad for two crunch clashes
'My plan wasn’t to use Wayne Rooney,' he said. 'He picked up a crack in the shin and it’s swollen up. He was going to be on the bench but he has not been able to make it.
'I think he will be OK for Saturday. We could have risked him but we decided not to.'
