Bobby Zamora and Jack Wilshere are being tipped to make Fabio Capello’s first post-World Cup England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Hungary (9/1 – Euro 2012 outright).
Fulham striker Zamora (80/1 – Premier League top scorer) was unlucky to miss out on the trip to South Africa, while 18-year-old Wilshere is crossing his fingers as he contemplates a first call-up for the England (2/7 – Group G winner) senior side.
Capello’s squad is certain to feature several changes from the one that flopped at the World Cup, with Emile Heskey having retired from international football.
Zamora is understood to have an excellent chance of featuring at Wembley, having missed out on the plane to South Africa because he required surgery on his Achilles injury.
Wilshere may not be the only Arsenal presence in the squad, with Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs coming under the spotlight.
Wilshere was left out of Stuart Pearce’s Under-21 squad to face Uzbekistan, so the midfielder may be elevated to senior ranks following an excellent half-season on loan at Bolton.
There may also be a place for Manchester City’s Adam Johnson, who was left out of the World Cup party but whose standing was boosted by the comparative failure of his club colleague Shaun Wright-Phillips and the other wide-man in South Africa, Aaron Lennon.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka, who might well have been in South Africa but for the serious knee injury that kept him out for 10 months, could fill a spot along with Michael Dawson of Tottenham.
The 27-year-old Everton defender won his first cap against Trinidad & Tobago, two years ago, but has not played since appearing as a substitute in April 2009 in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
The other area where England are down on manpower is goalkeeper.
James’ move to the Championship and Bristol City effectively ended his international career and there must be serious question marks over Robert Green following his howler against the USA in the World Cup.
It means that a battle is now expected between Joe Hart and Ben Foster, who was preferred to the Manchester City keeper for matches against Belarus and Brazil last term, to become Capello’s first-choice.
Jermain Defoe has a slight groin strain and Capello will not call up any players struggling with injury, especially those who were at the World Cup.
John Terry will be included despite leading the dissent against Capello’s regime in South Africa, before backing down when there was little support from his team-mates.
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