England World Cup squad: Nick Collins picks his current 23 choices

Article written  By Chief Football Correspondent Nick Collins

 

Here are the 23 men Nick Collins thinks will be in Hodgson's squad

Sky Sports News' England reporter Nick Collins names the 23 men, as it stands, who he thinks will be in Roy Hodgson's England squad this summer.

So here it is: my World Cup Squad as it stands.
Form and fitness may change this... a few more weeks of Luke Shaw and Jordan Henderson performing well for their clubs and they could force their way in.
Likewise, a few more weeks of Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard not playing regularly and their positions will be under threat.
Andy Carroll is my wild card - Rickie Lambert and Jermain Defoe will push him close. I have opted for eight defenders and eight midfielders, but Roy Hodgson may pick an extra midfielder at the expense of a defender. He wants a balanced squad - with youth and experience - so here goes:
GOALKEEPERS: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Fraser Forster.
DEFENDERS: Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Leighton Baines, Ashley Cole.
MIDFIELDERS: Adam Lallana, Andros Townsend, Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
STRIKERS: Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll.
STAND-BY PLAYERS (7): John Ruddy, Luke Shaw, Steven Caulker, Ross Barkley, Jordan Henderson, Rickie Lambert, Jermain Defoe

Nick's Wembley ratings

 

 Overall it was probably about seven-out-of-ten for England; a victory to start World Cup year, a clean sheet and some eye-catching performances from some of the new faces.

JOE HART: Did not have a great deal to do, but one save when he came quickly off his line to block Morten Rasmussen was a reminder of why he is comfortably England's number one choice.

GLEN JOHNSON: Won his 50th cap and, as ever, looked dangerous going forward. He also adjusted well to playing right-back, after being on the left for Liverpool recently.

ASHLEY COLE: Cap number 107 and despite being out of favour at his club, the 33-year-old looked totally at ease, with a real willingness to get forward. Still in the 23 for Brazil.

STEVEN GERRARD: The deeper-lying role he plays in midfield is giving the captain a new lease of life and he remained a positive influence throughout the 90 minutes.
GARY CAHILL: A major threat at set pieces, he almost converted a first-half chance. Defensively sound, he continues to look the part as an international defender.

CHRIS SMALLING: His ability to play right-back and central defence is a plus for England and he enhanced his World Cup chances with a reliable display as Phil Jagielka's deputy.

JACK WILSHERE: Overcame an early injury scare and at times threatened to take hold of the game by the scruff of the neck. If he stays fit he looks the likely partner for Gerrard in central midfield.

JORDAN HENDERSON: In prime form with his club, and a first England start for over three years. He was busy throughout his 77 minutes on the pitch and is adding to the fierce competition for places in midfield.

DANIEL STURRIDGE: Forced to play out wide at times, he still looked England's most dangerous forward. Could have had a hat-trick, but for Kasper Schmeichel and took his goal well to further enhance his World Cup claims.

WAYNE ROONEY: No lack of effort, but it didn't quite happen for him, as England played a 4-3-3 formation with Rooney through the middle. Remains the team's key player.

RAHEEM STERLING: A second cap and a first start for the energetic winger. Never afraid to try his luck and came desperately close to scoring in the first half. One of England's real pluses on the night.
SUBS

LUKE SHAW: A debut at 18 and now we know England have three genuine international-class left backs! Wonderfully composed and confident, this was a tantalising glimpse into the future and his duel with Cole to make the final 23 will be fascinating.

ADAM LALLANA: Lifted England in the final half hour after coming on and helped set up Sturridge's goal. The Southampton midfielder looks a cert for the World Cup squad and may now force his way into the starting line-up in Manaus.
 DANNY WELBECK: Continues to impress in an England shirt and rattled Denmark's defence with his persistence. Club form may be a concern, but for his country he remains a real threat.

ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN: Fit again after long-term injury and showed he's at home in central midfield or on the flanks. Cameo role this time, he remains firmly in Roy Hodgson's plans.

ANDROS TOWNSEND: England's hero of the final two qualifiers, but he did not have the time to make an impact on this occasion. Still expect him to be in the mix.

JAMES MILNER: Just a couple of minutes at the end for England's "Mr Versatile", the reliable midfielder finds himself in the middle of an intriguing battle for places on the plane to Rio.

Article source: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/18804/9199337/england-world-cup-squad-nick-collins-picks-his-current-23-choices