Roy Hodgson ‘s England host Denmark in a friendly international at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night as final preparations for this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil gather pace, and the Three Lions are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation with these players…
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GK: Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion)
The Baggies shot stopper gets a chance to stake his claim to be first-choice Joe Hart’s understudy at this summer’s World Cup against the Danes in midweek after the keeper had temporarily decided to retire from international football three years ago.
RB: Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
The experienced Reds full back has only just returned to action following a recent layoff designed to help cure niggling knee and shoulder injuries, and the full back is now in line to win his 50th cap for his country against Denmark on Wednesday.
LB: Leighton Baines (Everton)
The in-form Toffees left-sided full back is enjoying yet another fine campaign for the Merseysiders, so much so that the player is now expected to out Chelsea star Ashley Cole from the Three Lions starting lineup when then the World Cup gets under way kin Brazil this summer.
CB: Gary Cahill (Chelsea)
The west London club’s consistent central defender has now cemented his place in the England back four for the global show-piece event in South America after a fine campaign at the back for the Blues this season.
CB: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
The Red Devils centre back should get the nod to replace the injured Phil Jagielka against the Danes in midweek, with the Everton defender set to miss out with a hamstring injury, and it would be a major surprise were the youngster not to also be on the plane to Rio this summer as well, in spite of his inconsistent campaign at Old Trafford.
HM: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
The veteran Blues midfielder will skipper his country against Denmark in the absence of the rested Steven Gerrard, however, it is still very much tough and go as to whether the 35-year-old makes Hodgson’s final 23-man squad for Brazil 2014 though after losing his first-team place at Stamford Bridge.
CM: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
It is still noticeable that the Gunners playmaker is not quite back to full fitness as yet, although even a 90 per cent fit Wilshere is enough to get selected to provide the creativity and invention in the centre of the park for the Three Lions.
CM: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)
After the impressive season the all-action midfielder has had at Anfield, it is no real surprise to see his name included in Hodgson’s England squad for this friendly meeting with the Danes where the player has a wonderful opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the Three Lions boss.
RW: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
The young Reds flyer has really caught the eye for Brendan Rodgers’s in-form outfit of late, and now the 19-year-old has a wonderful chance of replacing the injured Theo Walcott in England’s starting lineup for this summer’s competition in South America.
ST: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Having found the back of the net on 18 occasions so far in the Premier League, the prolific striker is now one of the first names down on Hodgson’s Three Lions team sheet, and the Reds attacker should get his chance to impress in his more favoured central striking role against the Danes this week in the absence of the rested Wayne Rooney.
LW: Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)
The Red Devils forward has never let Hodgson or his country down when given a run out, and that is why the player is a nailed-on certainty to be included in the England squad travelling to Rio this summer.