April 19 2014

Roy Hodgson

It's not long until Roy Hodsgon names his England squad for the World Cup finals in Brazil. So who should make it?

Crystal Palace might not have any players in the England squad but Croydon-born Palace fan Hodgson has plenty to mull over for his 23-man party. Will this be his selection?

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart is a no-brainer as the Manchester City stopper is head and shoulders (geddit?) above anybody else. Ben Foster is a decent deputy after his heroics for West Brom despite the team struggling this season. While Celtic's Fraser Forster should be selected as the third choice after his excellent clean sheet record, helping the Bhoys to the title.

Hart, Foster, Forster

Full-backs

Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward has had a brilliant campaign, as the Eagles claimed Premier League safety and has operated comfortably at both full-back positions. He's been a major factor in Palace having the fourth meanest defence in the division. But the World Cup may have come a year too soon for him.

However, it's difficult to not have Liverpool's Glenn JOHNSON in that right-back slot due to Liverpool's superb season which should see them clinch the title. Nathaniel Clyne should be given the nod as understudy as the former Palace Academy star has had a wonderful campaign with Southampton.

Leighton Baines is a shoe-in for left-back with young Saints defender Luke Shaw as back-up. It seems that it won't be long before Shaw overtakes the Everton man in that position, such is his quality.

JOHNSON, Clyne, Baines, Shaw

Centre backs

Forgetting John Terry's penchant for scoring goals for Palace, he's had an outstanding campaign for Chelsea but is out of the England picture.

It leaves club mate Gary Cahill as the first choice at centre half, alongside Everton's Phil Jagielka. Steven Caulker has shown promise despite Cardiff's poor season and should go to Brazil, with Manchester United's Phil Jones as the other back-up.

Cahill, Jagielka, Caulker, Jones

Midfielders

Steven Gerrard is a guaranteed pick for Hodgson and his team mates Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson should also make the plane.

If Arsenal's Jack Wilshere has recovered in time from his injury, then he is definitely worthy of a spot. Michael Carrick fits the role of defensive anchor perfectly, while young guns Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley can play without any fear on the world stage.

Gerrard, Sterling, Henderson, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Barkley, Carrick

Forwards

Daniel Sturridge's incredible scoring season for Liverpool means he has booked his place for Rio. Wayne Rooney has been a disappointment in recent tournaments, but is this his chance to prove he is a world star? He will bring experience to England's front line and should be selected.

ANDY Carroll is a dangerous target man, and many of England's opposing defenders won't be able to handle his physical prowess. Jermain Defoe should take the final striker's place, despite his move to an inferior league in the MLS, as he simply knows the net is.

Sturridge, Rooney, Carroll, Defoe