England World Cup Squad - Prediction

There is plenty of time for someone to emerge into the international reckoning (see Theo Walcott in 2006), while injuries can also strike in the final four months of the Premiership season.

However, at the time of writing this is the prediction for what will be Fabio Capello's 23-man World Cup squad for South Africa. At SAWC2010 we would love to hear your opinion on this squad and your alternative versions.

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart - Birmingham - The emerging England goalkeeping star will be impossible to leave out on current form.
Rob Green - West Ham - Will need to finish the season strongly to hold off a challenge from Paul Robinson.
David James - the veteran keeper will still go to South Africa based on his experience, as long as he does get some first team action before the season is over.

Misses out - Paul Robinson, Chris Kirland and Ben Foster.

Defenders

John Terry - Chelsea - Captain and a fixture in the team regardless of off-the-field troubles.
Rio Ferdinand - Manchester United - Assuming he can prove his fitness he will go to South Africa.
Matthew Upson - West Ham - Despite his club's troubles he is standby to the first choice two above.
Ashley Cole - Chelsea - One of the best left backs in the world and in great form for his club.
Glen Johnson - Liverpool - Currently injured and there are still question marks over his defending abilities, but England are not blessed in the full-back department.
Wes Brown - Manchester United - a player that would not get a look-in if he were not at United. However, he is experienced and fairly versatile, which will see him get the nod over technically better players.
Wayne Bridge - Manchester City - Still in Ashley Cole's shadows, but England have few better options.
Gary Cahill - Bolton - The least experienced of all of England's squad players, but his form has been solid this season.

Misses out - Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate due to injuries, Michah Richards due to inexperience, and Jolene Lescott following his disappointing form with City.

Midfielders

Steven Gerrard - Liverpool - A problematic club season and patchy form, but Gerrard will have to be on the plane.
Frank Lampard - Chelsea - Another player that has to be picked.
Gareth Barry - Manchester City - The former Aston Villa player is impressive at city and provides a stable option.
Aaron Lennon - Tottenham - A player who has performed so well that he can't be left out.
Joe Cole - Chelsea - Injuries have left his place in doubt, but providing he completes the season unscathed he will be selected.
David Beckham - AC Milan - The big debate will be over whether the former captain is picked. We think he will, even though he will only be used as a substitute.
James Milner - Aston Villa - Tough decision here! He will be competing with team-mates Ashley Young and Stewart Downing for one of the final seats on the plane. He is favourite a the time of writing.
Theo Walcott - Arsenal - Injuries are putting Walcott's place in severe doubt, but he played a key role in the qualifiers and his pace should win his inclusion.

Misses out - Owen Hargreaves (injury), Jermaine Jenas, Michael Carrick, Tom Huddlestone, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney - Manchester United - The one star of England's team and the first name down.
Jermain Defoe - Tottenham - A goal machine that was criminally overlooked in 2006, but will have to go this time, even though he doesn't alway perform his best for England.
Emile Heskey - Aston Villa - An awkward player to play against that can perform a certain role, however, he is a borderline inclusion with Peter Crouch the alternative.
Darren Bent - Sunderland - A seemingly awful player at international level, but his goals tally this season may see him included above Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carlton Cole, and Michael Owen.

Misses out - Agbonlahor, Cole, Owen and Crouch.