Injury issues for England but key players remain fit

In the last 10 World Cups that England have qualified for, they have always made it past the first stage. However, this year The Three Lions face a huge challenge to take down two multiple tournament champions as well as a team more acclimatised to the conditions.

While they are expected to maul the latter, footballing minnows Costa Rica, they will need to take a different approach and stand their ground against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay and Italy, who are hoping for their fifth trophy.

Managerial club greats Sir Bobby Robson, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello have all lead England to the tournament finals, but fallen short in their bid to repeat the tournament triumph of 1966 under Sir Alf Ramsey.

The World Cup hopes baton has been passed onto Roy Hodgson for 2014 in Brazil, but this time expectations are somewhat low of even progressing past their pool.

England have been placed in Group D, and are third-favourites both to finish top at 2/1, and odds-on at 8/15 to qualify for the knockout stages. While they are outsiders to actually win the competition at 28/1, they are priced most likely to return home at the first hurdle at 6/5.

However, if Hodgson were to qualify at the expense of one Italy or Uruguay, then his side can be backed to emulate the achievement of Capello’s exit in the last 16 at 11/4, a quarter final elimination under Eriksson at 4/1 or losing in the semis with Robson at 9/1.

Injuries, as always, have played their part in the lead up to the World Cup. The former Inter Milan, Liverpool and Switzerland – who he took to the last 16 in 1994 – boss will not be able to call upon forward players Theo Walcott, Andros Townsend and Jay Rodriguez, while Kyle Walker is a doubt.

If that was not bad enough, former captain John Terry retired in late 2012, and it seems he is likely to turn down any offer to return to the squad, if approached by Hodgson. He is still priced by Coral at 16/1, however, to be swayed and change his mind.

That leaves his Chelsea clubmate Gary Cahill and fellow former Sheffield United player Phil Jagielka. The latter has had an injury-hit campaign this season, but started the recent 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester City, and is expected to make the plane to Brazil.

His new clubmate John Stones (4/1 to be picked for the World Cup squad), who ably stood in for the 31-year-old whilst on the sidelines, has highly impressed this term. The ball-playing central defender is not too dissimilar in style to that of Rio Ferdinand or Jones but, with the former highly doubtful to make Hodgson’s final roster, the teenager could be a fantastic choice.

Yorkshireman Stones has never been called up to the senior England side, but has been touted and urged by many to be picked for the tournament. His versatility, also being able to play at right back, would also be a big plus with Walker and Jones doubts.

It seems he faces competition, for the third and fourth centre back squad places, from the likes of Jones (4/9), Chris Smalling (2/5), Cardiff City captain Steven Caulker (4/1) and Joleon Lescott (8/1).

The full back positions will undoubtedly go to Glen Johnson, on the right, and Leighton Baines, on the left. However, while backup to the Liverpool player relies on Walker’s fitness, with Jon Flanagan (4/1) waiting in the wings, cover to his Merseyside rival is a straight fight between centurion Ashley Cole or sole-capped 18-year-old Luke Shaw.

In midfield, national skipper Steven Gerrard is likely to be joined on the plane by Adam Lallana and Jack Wilshere, with Frank Lampard (1/2), Ross Barkley (1/4) and Michael Carrick (8/15) all hoping to squeeze into the 23-man party. Jordan Henderson (2/7) and Hodgson squad favourite James Milner (1/6) are also decent shouts.

Big outside chances to make the cut include Hull City’s Tom Huddlestone and Jonjo Shelvey of Swansea City (both 20/1), who have impressed for their clubs and kept them in the top-flight. Tom Cleverley (3/1) and Gareth Barry (9/1) are better shouts, but form and age respectively count against them.

Liverpool starlet Raheem Sterling has greatly impressed for his side this season, and has been an important part of their surprise success. The Jamaican-born right winger will go to Brazil and is now priced at 6/4 to start England’s opening group game against Italy, ahead of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (4/1).

The left side is still open, with the berth likely to go to a player out of position. The likes of Danny Welbeck (13/8 to be in the XI against Italy), Lallana (evens) or even Milner (15/8) have been used there for club and country. Alternatively, Sterling and Oxlade-Chamberlain could both start and switch wings.

Superstar Wayne Rooney (40/1 to be tournament top scorer) and Daniel Sturridge (66/1) will almost certainly begin the opening World Cup game, but the third and fourth striker spots are still unsure. Both are 5/2 to get the most goals for England.

Welbeck will probably get the nod, so it seems a straight battle between Rickie Lambert (5/4 to make the squad) and Andy Carroll (8/11) for the final berth. Hodgson could, however, completely overlook both, and go for young blood instead.

Connor Wickham (16/1 to make the 23-man squad) has been a vital part of Sunderland’s incredible great escape from relegation, since his loan spell at Leeds United. His three goals and two assists in the club’s last three matches (against Chelsea, Cardiff and Man Utd) resulted in victories in all of those.

The first and second goalkeeping spots are straightforward. Since Joe Hart regained the number one jersey for Man City just before Christmas, there has been no doubt he will start England’s opening match.

Ben Foster (1/4) should be the backup, with Celtic star Fraser Forster (8/15) and John Ruddy (5/4) – who is set to be relegated with Norwich, fighting it out for the third keeper position. Stoke City’s Leeds loanee Jack Butland (20/1) is an outside shout.

If England can play conservatively (not that they know any other style), then draws against Uruguay and Italy, and a win against Costa Rica could just be enough to see them through to the knockout round.

Despite the many criticisms about the players and mentality, as always, the squad is still strong. So come on England fans, roar Hodgson and his Lions on to get past the group stages, and any progression from there will be a plus.