England squad v Egypt

Roger Johnson

Fabio Capello will name his England squad this weekend for the friendly against Egypt (at Wembley on Wednesday, 3rd March). This is the only fixture before the pre-tournament warm-up games; therefore Capello doesn’t have much opportunity to be radical. However, injuries to some first-choice personnel should provide an opening for some fringe players. And a slew of further injuries prior to the game could open things up for some alternative selections and wildcards.

Both first choice full-backs, Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole will be absent due to injury. They should be replaced by the respective second choices, Wes Brown at right-back and Wayne Bridge at left-back. However, it’s not clear who will be included in the squad as reserves. At right-back the lack of clarity is due to the dearth of alternatives. Micah Richards has been overlooked under the present management, but it’s possible he could make the squad for this friendly. Phil Neville is also a long-shot. However, the lack of credible replacements might mean that Capello looks beyond designated defenders: versatile midfielder James Milner could be deemed sufficient cover. The situation differs at left-back as there is healthy competition for a squad place between Everton’s Leighton Baines and Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock.

Capello could also include an untried centre-back in the squad, as there perhaps isn’t much advantage to including a capped player, like Joleon Lescott, as ‘second reserve’ for this position. There is therefore a chance that Birmingham’s Roger Johnson could be called up.

Theo Walcott has recently intimated that he is returning to form and, when fit, has been first choice right-midfielder since the World Cup qualifiers began. His key rival for this position, Aaron Lennon, is likely to be out through injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips is perhaps the closest to a like-for-like replacement for Lennon. Joe Cole is back to fitness having missed most of the qualification campaign and he provides Capello with an additional midfield option. But Stewart Downing is also vying for a recall and, as a natural left-footer, he offers Capello a handy resource. Man City’s recent signing Adam Johnson could become an England regular in the future but, whilst he would be an exciting addition to the squad, he’s probably behind more established talents in the current pecking order.

World Cup College considers that the following players should be Capello’s 23.

David James
Robert Green
Joe Hart

Wes Brown
Rio Ferdinand
John Terry
Matthew Upson
Roger Johnson
Wayne Bridge
Leighton Baines

Gareth Barry
Frank Lampard
Steven Gerrard
Theo Walcott
James Milner
Shaun Wright-Phillips
David Beckham
Stewart Downing

Wayne Rooney
Emile Heskey
Jermain Defoe
Peter Crouch
Carlton Cole