We look at the names in the frame for a place in England's 23-man squad for this summer's World Cup.
The 2010 World Cup is drawing ever closer and time is running out for those hoping to make Fabio Capello's final cut. The Italian is renowned for keeping his cards close to his chest, but who will be taking their seat on the plane to South Africa this summer? Here skysports.com's Chris Burton looks at those scrapping it out for 23 precious tickets
There are now less than 100 days to go before the big kick-off in South Africa on 11th June, with excitement levels building by the day.
Fans across the world are readying themselves for what they hope will be the most memorable of summers, as they cheer their chosen troops to global glory.
Among those expected to mount a sustained challenge for the crown is Fabio Capello's England, with the Three Lions having breezed through their qualification campaign.
There are, however, lingering doubts about some of those currently in the frame, while untimely injuries and a sudden loss of form could also come into play before final selections are made.
A Jekyll and Hyde showing against Egypt in their latest friendly suggests there is still much work to be done before England can be considered the finished article, but there were also signs of promise against the Pharaohs which will have helped to comfort those already bracing themselves for another summer of heartache.
Who, though, will Capello choose to lead the Three Lions into battle? Who is a banker, barring injury, to strut his stuff on football's biggest stage and who has work to do to make the cut?
Here
skysports.com's Chris Burton looks at those who would be in the 23-man squad for the finals if the line-up was announced today and who has plenty to prove to their Italian boss. In the coming weeks we will continually reassess the chances of all the contenders based on their performances for club and country.
ALREADY ON THE PLANE
Goalkeepers
Robert Green: Playing the full 90 minutes against Egypt suggests West Ham man Green is now regarded as Capello's No.1. His handling looks shaky at times, but he is still relatively inexperienced at this level.
David James: He may be fast approaching his 40th birthday but James' considerable experience could come in handy. He is unlikely to have allowed the ongoing troubles at Portsmouth to have affected his game.
Defenders
John Terry: His off-field shenanigans may have grabbed the headlines of late, and resulted in him being stripped of the captaincy, but Terry remains a lionheart at the centre of the back four and proved against Egypt that he will not allow a few boos to put him off his stride.
Rio Ferdinand: Having been handed the captain's armband, Ferdinand is guaranteed to be among those heading to South Africa. The 2009/10 campaign has not been his best, and he continues to be hampered by niggling knocks, but he remains one of a few true world-class performers in the England fold.
Glen Johnson: It does not say much for those hoping to force their way into the reckoning that Johnson remains the obvious choice at right-back. The Liverpool man is currently nursing a knee injury, but he is closing in on a return to first-team action.
Ashley Cole: Another currently watching on from the sidelines, the fitness of Cole remains England's biggest concern. He should have recovered from a broken ankle in time to feature in South Africa, but whether he is at full throttle remains to be seen.
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard: Vice-captain Gerrard has started to look somewhere close to his best again for Liverpool of late, which bodes well. There is, however, still a question mark about where to play him for England, as the Egypt game once again proved that he is ineffective when deployed on the left.
Frank Lampard: Should really have added to his international tally against Egypt but remains an important source of goals from midfield. He will be hoping to head to South Africa with a clutch of domestic and European medals in his back pocket.
Gareth Barry: With Owen Hargreaves yet to awake from his injury nightmare, Barry remains the obvious choice in the holding midfield role. Guarantees solid showings and has become England's Mr Consistent.
James Milner: Milner's versatility and willingness to play any role required of him marks him out as a certainty to make the squad. He has matured into an accomplished central midfielder at Aston Villa, but can play on either flank and at full-back.
Strikers
Wayne Rooney: In red-hot form for Manchester United at present and England's World Cup hopes rest on his broad shoulders. Surprisingly quiet against Egypt, but operates best with a big man alongside him - not the diminutive Jermain Defoe.
Emile Heskey: A Capello favourite, Heskey's physical frame has made him a guaranteed inclusion. He may not deliver a hatful of goals but his industry and team ethic make him a useful asset.
Peter Crouch: Two more goals against Egypt have taken his tally to 20 in 37 outings. His record at international level is impossible to ignore and he poses a considerable threat from the start or as an impact substitute.
WAITING IN DEPARTURE LOUNGE
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart: Has excelled for surprise package Birmingham this season, having escaped the shackles of Manchester City. He may still be young but he has the potential to be a mainstay in the side for years to come.
Defenders
Matthew Upson: A regular inclusion in Capello's plans, the West Ham man will fancy his chances of earning a seat on the plane. He is, however, yet to convince at the highest level and needs to overcome the nerves which have curtailed his progress.
Wes Brown: Another versatile option who could make the cut purely on the basis that he can play in a number of positions. Likely to go as cover for Glen Johnson, he could also fill in at centre-half.
Leighton Baines: An impressive debut against Egypt suggests he could step into Ashley Cole's boots if required. Good going forward, he would help to provide width on the troublesome left flank.
Midfielders
Shaun Wright-Phillips: Changed the game against Egypt after entering the frame at the interval. With no-one yet to tie down the right-wing role as their own, the Manchester City man could have stolen a march on his rivals.
Michael Carrick: Another who impressed after stepping off the bench against Egypt, Carrick is capable of unlocking the tightest of defences. A useful option to have in reserve, he is likely to have done enough.
Aaron Lennon: Lennon may be struggling to shake off a niggling injury at the moment but his form for Tottenham this term means he will be drafted into the squad if fully fit.
Strikers
Jermain Defoe: His record in qualifying should ensure that he makes the grade, with the Spurs hit-man having finally found his feet at this level. He will want to make the starting XI, but may be left disappointed as he is yet to click with Wayne Rooney.
LOOKING FOR A TICKET
Goalkeepers
Ben Foster: Failed to impress when deputising for Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United early in the season and may have blown his chances. Having slipped down the pecking order again at Old Trafford he needs to seriously consider his future over the summer.
Paul Robinson: Bombed out after a disastrous Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Robinson has responded to his snub in style. Has rediscovered his best at Blackburn and would be deserving of a recall.
Defenders
Joleon Lescott: A summer switch to Manchester City has not had the desired impact on Lescott's game. If anything he has gone backwards and, with a host of competent centre-halves in the frame, he needs to raise his game considerably over the coming months.
Ledley King: King's injury record suggests it would be a major gamble to include him in the squad. He is, however, a seasoned performer and continues to do the business when called upon by Tottenham.
Gary Cahill: Proof that you do not have to play for one of the glamour clubs to catch Capello's eye. The Bolton man faces stiff competition for a defensive berth, but appears ready to make the step up into the international arena.
Stephen Warnock: Has been in and out of the squad of late but was drafted back in following the injury to Ashley Cole. May have been edged out by Leighton Baines, but should be handed a reprieve if Cole fails to recover in time.
Midfielders
David Beckham: The jury remains out on Beckham, with opinion split as to whether he should be included or not. His delivery and set-piece skills remain unquestioned, but has he been overtaken by the younger generation?
Joe Cole: Things do not look good for Cole right now. Out of favour at Chelsea, he has been overlooked by Capello on a regular basis. On his day he is exactly the type of player England need down the left, but he is in serious danger of seeing his dreams dashed.
Ashley Young: Looked to be assured of a ticket at one stage, but has seen others edge ahead of him in the pecking order since then. Could help to answer the left wing problem, but probably needs snookers to force his way into the final 23.
Theo Walcott: A lacklustre showing against Egypt could be the final nail in his coffin. His hat-trick heroics against Croatia feel like a long time ago and he has failed to develop as hoped since then. Injuries have been a problem and he remains a hot prospect for the future.
Strikers
Carlton Cole: Capello will only take two big men with him to South Africa and Emile Heskey and Peter Crouch seem destined to get the nod. Cole has only had limited opportunities to impress so far, but a flurry of goals for West Ham could see him spring a surprise.
Gabriel Agbonlahor: Blessed with the kind of searing pace which would trouble any defence, Agbonlahor could be used off the bench late on. The problem for him is that Jermain Defoe is no slouch either and Theo Walcott is also likely to make the cut ahead of him.
CHANCE OF LATE DEAL
Goalkeepers
Chris Kirkland: Should really be an England regular by now, given the talent at his disposal. Continues to be blighted by injury, though, and is now fourth choice at best.
Defenders
Ryan Shawcross: Brought into the squad against Egypt, the Stoke man could make a late claim for a place. Still only 22 there will be plenty more opportunities for Shawcross in the future.
Jonathan Woodgate: Another centre-half blessed with considerable ability. Unfortunately, an injury-hit season at Tottenham looks to have dashed any hopes Woodgate harbours of earning an England recall.
Micah Richards: Once regarded as a star of the future and the natural heir to Gary Neville at right-back, Richards' career has stagnated somewhat over recent years. He has been back to somewhere close to his best of late but it may be too little, too late.
Midfielders
Stewart Downing: The only naturally left-footed player in the frame to take the left-wing berth, but probably the least likely to get offered the role. Has shone for Aston Villa this term and can consider himself unlucky not to be in the picture.
Lee Cattermole: A mainstay in Stuart Pearce's U21 side, Cattermole could be asked to make the transition into the senior fold. A midfield enforcer with bags of energy, something would have to happen to Gareth Barry for him to get a call.
Tom Huddlestone: An untimely injury for Tottenham could have scuppered any hopes Huddlestone had of catching Capello's eye. A cultured midfielder with great vision, his chance will come.
Strikers
Michael Owen: Capello has stubbornly refused to pick Owen for a long time now and has offered little to suggest he is about to relax that stance. Should he steer clear of injury and become a regular goal-getter at Manchester United he could stand a chance.
Darren Bent: Only Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba and Jermain Defoe have scored more Premier League goals than Bent this season. Unfortunately two of them are direct competition for a place in the England squad.
England Specials - who will be in England's World Cup 2010 Squad
