GOALKEEPERS
JOE HART (Manchester City, 19/04/87, 58 caps, 0 goals)
England's
established number one and an experienced campaigner, Hart has been at
the sharp end for club and country for several years. Will be asked to
lead and organise.
FRASER FORSTER (Southampton, 17/03/88, 6 caps, 0 goals)
Returned
from 10 months out injured to set a new club record of six straight
clean sheets earlier this season. A fantastic goalkeeper and more than
able deputy.
TOM HEATON (Burnley, 15/04/86, 1 caps, 0 goals)
Named
in the Championship team of the season after his consistently solid
performances helped the Clarets win the title. Made debut against
Australia as thanks for his work as third-choice goalkeeper
DEFENCE
NATHANIEL CLYNE (Liverpool, 05/04/91, 12 caps, 0 goals)
Now
fully settled into life at Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, he brings energy
to everything he does from right-back and caught the eye in the friendly
win over Germany.
KYLE WALKER (Tottenham, 28/05/90, 15 caps, 0 goals)
Has
flourished under Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs and will be battling
Clyne for a starting spot despite featuring in just one of the
qualifiers.
DANNY ROSE (Tottenham, 02/07/90, 3 caps, 0 goals)
Has
timed his run perfectly having only made his senior bow in March, but
Rose's showings against Germany and Turkey make a compelling case for
him to start the tournament at left-back.
GARY CAHILL (Chelsea, 19/12/85, 42 caps, 3 goals)
A
figure of some seniority now, Cahill's experience is valued by Hodgson,
who will be hoping the centre-half will be not be adversely affected by
Chelsea's dire season or the recent injections in his hip.
CHRIS SMALLING (Man Utd, 22/11/89, 24 caps, 0 goals)
The
post-Ferguson years have not been kind to many at Old Trafford, but
Smalling's authority and consistency have risen and he is rapidly
building his international credentials. Captained the country for the
first time against Australia.
RYAN BERTRAND (Southampton, 05/08/89, 8 caps, 0 goals)
Still
lacking meaningful international experience almost four years after his
debut, but continues to impress with Saints and earns his spot in what
has become a crowded field at left-back.
JOHN STONES (Everton, 28/05/94), 10 caps, 0 goals)
Still
regularly linked with £40million transfers to the Champions League
elite but dropped by a struggling Everton side earlier in the campaign.
Question marks over his confidence, if not his talent, yet remains a big
part of the future.
MIDFIELD
DELE ALLI (Tottenham, 11/04/96, 7 caps, 1 goal)
The
PFA Young Player of the Year and a driving force behind Spurs' title
push, Alli's versatility and range of skills means England's main
dilemma will be how to get the most from him.
JORDAN HENDERSON (Liverpool, 17/06/90), 25 caps, 0 goals)
A
badly-timed knee injury left the midfielder sweating over his place but
proved his fitness by featuring both warm-up friendlies. His work-rate
is an important asset.
JAMES MILNER (Liverpool, 04/01/86, 59 caps, 1 goal)
The
well-travelled 30-year-old has already hinted he will consider his
international future after the tournament, but for now he adds an
experienced head to the more dynamic talents around him and can
contribute a leadership role even without starting.
ERIC DIER (Tottenham, 15/01/94, 6 caps, 1 goal)
A
revelatory showing at the base of the midfield in the 3-2 friendly win
over Germany, when he also opened his goalscoring account, made him a
lock-in. Offers defensive nous and comfort on the ball in that role and
versatility across the back four. The own goal against Australia looked
an aberration.
ADAM LALLANA (Liverpool, 10/05/88, 22 caps, 0 goals)
A
regular fixture in the Roy Hodgson era, but still awaiting his defining
moment for the Three Lions. Malleable enough to succeed in a variety of
positions and systems, but may have to make the most of limited
opportunities.
ROSS BARKLEY (Everton, 05/12/93, 22 caps, 2 goals)
Has
had his best season in terms of goals but few would argue Barkley's
progress has been serene. A victim, perhaps, of Everton's downward
trajectory and Hodgson will hope a change of scenery brings out the best
in one of his most skilful players.
JACK WILSHERE (Arsenal, 01/01/92, 30 caps, 2 goals)
Another
season of injury woe for the 24-year-old, but his bad luck ceased in
time for him to get back on the pitch before the end of the campaign.
Hodgson is a huge admirer of the elegant midfielder and considers him
worth a fitness gamble, especially having featured in both warm-up
friendlies.
RAHEEM STERLING (Man City, 08/12/94, 22 caps, 2 goals)
His
big money move to the Etihad Stadium has not been a roaring success so
far and there is a concerning inconsistency in his game. But he has
pace, tricks and unpredictability in his favour and netted twice in
qualifying.
FORWARDS
WAYNE ROONEY (C) (Man Utd, 24/10/85, 110 caps, 52 goals)
Captain.
Record goalscorer. Most decorated player in the squad. What more is
there to say about Wayne Rooney? Quite a lot, as it turns out. A star in
qualifying but outperformed over the past season by a handful of
strikers and debate rages as to how best he can now be used, despite
scoring against Australia.
HARRY KANE (Tottenham, 28/07/93, 11 caps, 5 goals)
Has
now enjoyed two barnstorming seasons in the Premier League and is the
home-grown symbol of Spurs' compelling rebirth. Has carried that
confidence into the early part of his international career and looks
England's most obvious goal threat, underlined by netting minutes into
the Turkey win.
JAMIE VARDY (Leicester, 11/01/87, 7 caps, 3 goals)
The
more he terrorises defences with his fast, direct runs and tops up his
goal tally with a sniper's precision, the harder it is to believe he
ever had to rise so far through the ranks. Having netted in three
successive international matches, England will look to harness his
hunger.
DANIEL STURRIDGE (Liverpool, 01/09/89, 17 caps, 5 goals)
Injury
problems meant he slipped off England's radar for the best part of 18
months but while he may not possess the sharpest all-round game he is an
instinctive goalscorer. A calf strain had raised questions about his
place, but Hodgson has plumped for the oft-injured striker.
MARCUS RASHFORD (Man Utd, 31/10/97, 1 cap, 1 goal)
In
the space of 92 days, the precocious 18-year-old made his Manchester
United debut, won the FA Cup and scored on his international debut.
There is a fearlessness and verve about Rashford, with his displays on
international duty enough to see him head to France.
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