Five players that can feel hard done by for missing out on Roy Hodgson’s side to face Denmark.
Aaron Lennon – Tottenham Hotspur
The Spurs ace has been busy fighting back from injuries over the past two years and is now starting to get somewhere near back to his best. Being a student of the old school, it’s surprising that Hodgson has opted to leave him out given his propensity for direct wing play and Lennon can feel hard done by as failure to be included in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup could mean that he will be taking an early holiday this summer.
Kieran Gibbs – Arsenal
Gibbs has come a long way from being a hot prospect to genuine article, and with Ashley Cole’s advancing years the chance is there for him to put pressure on Leighton Baines to take over at left-back. However, with Baines now Hodgson’s preferred choice, his path is likely to be blocked by Southampton’s Luke Shaw. Despite good form this season, Gibbs may have been cursed with being born at the wrong time as a factory line of top left backs are all vying for that one slot.
Fabian Delph – Aston Villa
The Villa midfielder is now starting to fulfil the potential he showed as a teenager at Leeds and has been one of the bright sparks for a Villa side going through another run of the mill season in the middle of the table. His tenacity, dribbling and tackling in the midfield have all won him plaudits and couple that with an 82.8% pass completion rate he can feel genuinely aggrieved not to be given a chance in a friendly.
Andy Carroll – West Ham United
It is no coincidence that West Ham’s strong run of form recently has coincided with the striker’s return to action. The 25-year-old has provided a distinct aerial threat to the Hammers front line and has looked dangerous whenever the ball has come to him in the box. He may not have scored since his return, but he has laid on two assists for his teammates to help them climb the table to safety after a shaky beginning that saw them earmarked as favourites for relegation.
Gareth Barry – Everton
The original renaissance man of the season. The 33-year-old has showed just how influential he can still be by being given a regular starting spot under Roberto Martinez. He has only done what he has been doing for his entire career, but because he does it so quietly he often gets overlooked. Able to protect the ball and use it smartly, he often branches from that safe style to to lay on a defence splitting pass or chip in with the odd goal himself. He is also the only Englishman that can take a proper penalty, which is something that will undoubtedly prove vital at some point.