JOE HART Manchester City, 18 caps, age 25
Roy Hodgson has singled out his first-choice goalkeeper as one of his key players, which may not say much for his faith in the rest of the squad, but shows how far Hart has come since establishing himself as a regular at Manchester City two years ago. England have not travelled to a tournament with such confidence in their goalkeeper since David Seaman was at his best more than a decade ago and there should be no repeat of the uncertainty that surrounded the position during the 2010 World Cup finals and played a part in England’s shaky performance.
GLEN JOHNSON Liverpool, 36 caps, 27
Famously criticised in public by Hodgson during the England manager’s brief spell at Anfield, but will start the tournament as first-choice right back after recovering from a toe infection. His gung-ho attacking style is not a natural fit within a team who have been told that their first priority is to defend, but given the lack of pace elsewhere in the side Johnson’s ability to overlap past the pedestrian James Milner could prove valuable in giving England more unpredictability. Expect a conservative role, though, unless England need a goal.
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ASHLEY COLE Chelsea, 94 caps, 31
The importance of England’s most experienced player has increased even more in the light of withdrawals elsewhere, so it is just as well that his best form has returned after an indifferent start to last season under André Villas-Boas at Stamford Bridge. Instrumental in Chelsea’s unexpected yet thrilling Champions League triumph and certain to start every match, providing that a longstanding ankle injury, which restricts his appearances on the training ground, is able to withstand the rigours of three group games in nine days.
STEVEN GERRARD Liverpool, 92 caps, 32
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The most reluctant of captains could scarcely have greater responsibility, as he is the one experienced player left in a midfield that has been decimated by injuries and the only attacking force capable of driving the team forward and providing that elusive killer ball. His ability to strike a good understanding with Scott Parker will be critical because England’s short-staffed midfield looks like one that could easily be overrun, as will be his resilience in standing up to the rigours of tournament football after another season disrupted by injury.
MARTIN KELLY Liverpool, 1 cap, 22
A surprise eleventh-hour call-up as a replacement for Gary Cahill in the wake of being released from the squad after his debut against Norway a fortnight ago, but there appears little chance of him playing in the tournament because his real position in the pecking order is third-choice right back and fifth-choice centre back. Hodgson was impressed with his attitude at Liverpool, but he is inexperienced, has made only 24 appearances in the Barclays Premier League and played for two minutes for England. Another with attacking instincts from full back.
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JOHN TERRY Chelsea, 73 caps, 31
The former captain is the most divisive player in the squad, but Hodgson concluded that despite being a potential distraction, he could not do without his defensive and organisational qualities. After taking a gamble with his inclusion, he will be hoping that his hamstring injury clears up before the opening game against France on Monday. Terry remains a natural leader and communicator, but will restrict his input to having a strong voice on the pitch after his embarrassing and abortive attempted coup in South Africa two years ago.
THEO WALCOTT Arsenal, 24 caps, 23
Relieved to have made the squad after being left out at the last minute by Fabio Capello two years ago, but may be wise to brace himself for a tournament on the substitutes’ bench, as coming on late in games with a brief to stretch tired defences appears to be his allotted role. Hodgson likes wide players who are able to protect their full backs and defending is manifestly not one of Walcott’s strengths, as was demonstrated when he came on for the second half against Norway and England were pressed back into their own half by the home side.
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JORDAN HENDERSON Liverpool, 3 caps, 21
Before Martin Kelly, the most contentious selection of the Liverpool players in the squad. He endured a difficult first season at Anfield, where he failed to live up to his £16 million transfer fee. Struggled to compete in the European Under-21 Championship finals last summer and looked out of his depth on his senior debut against France 18 months ago, but did little wrong in the friendlies against Norway and Belgium. Hodgson sees him as the natural replacement for Gerrard, in the dreadful scenario of the captain being injured.
ANDY CARROLL Liverpool, 4 caps, 23
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Finished the season at Liverpool playing as well as he has done for almost two years, a run of form that catapulted him into the squad after falling out of favour under Capello. He could even start England’s first match of the tournament after his impressive performance in Hodgson’s first game in charge against Norway, in which he worked hard, held the ball up well and produced the early spadework for Ashley Young’s fine individual effort to win the match. Did not feature against Belgium, however, with the manager looking at his other options.
WAYNE ROONEY Manchester United, 74 caps, 26
His importance is demonstrated by Hodgson’s willingness to build the team around him despite the forward being suspended for the first two matches. It is a gamble that may backfire because England could be as good as out of the tournament by the time he returns to face Ukraine in Donetsk. The 4-4-2 system with split strikers should help to get the best out of the Manchester United man, however, and reduce the risk of another sending-off resulting from frustration at being isolated up front. Owes Hodgson a big performance for show of faith.
ASHLEY YOUNG Manchester United, 21 caps, 26
Flattered to deceive in his first season at Old Trafford, but has been England’s in-form attacking player in recent matches and is guaranteed to start, initially in the hole as cover for Rooney before a probable move out to the left. His present golden touch is shown by him having scored one goal and made the other in otherwise undistinguished performances against Norway and Belgium in the warm-up matches. He has scored four goals for England this season and provided six assists since the 2010 World Cup finals, more than any other player.
LEIGHTON BAINES Everton, 8 caps, 27
A capable deputy for Cole, and young enough to establish himself as his long-term successor after a stuttering start to his international career. His consistent performances for Everton have caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, who views him as a potential replacement for Patrice Evra at Manchester United and is likely to make a bid once England are heading home. As well as being a combative defender, his accurate delivery from the left provides an additional attacking option, while his curling free kicks can also be dangerous.
ROBERT GREEN West Ham United, 12 caps, 32
Has done well to recover from that infamous gaffe at the 2010 World Cup finals against the United States in Rustenburg to regain his place in the squad, and he performed well when winning his first cap for two years in the friendly against Norway a fortnight ago. The goalkeeping roles have been reversed since South Africa, though, and Green has travelled very much as Hart’s understudy. A capable deputy without inspiring the same confidence as Hart, and his form at the highest level is an unknown quantity after a season in the npower Championship.
PHIL JONES Manchester United, 5 caps, 20
Hodgson’s desire to include Jones was the main reason given by the team manager for his exclusion of Jones’s United team-mate, Rio Ferdinand — who is preferred to him when fit at club level — but his versatility could come in handy. Jones will be asked to provide cover in three positions: right back, centre back and as a holding midfield player. He is most likely to be used in the latter role given the withdrawals from the squad through injury of Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard, and because of Parker’s niggling Achilles problem.
JAMES MILNER Manchester City, 26 caps, 26
England’s Mr Reliable is coming off the back of a mixed Premier League season, in which he won the title but became increasingly peripheral as City closed in on the trophy in the final weeks. But his industry, earnest nature and eagerness to please could make him a key figure over the next month. Has been pencilled in to start the tournament on the right wing, where he will be expected to provide defensive ballast as well as getting forward to deliver crosses for the strikers. Is also seen as cover for the holding midfield role if Parker breaks down.
SCOTT PARKER Tottenham Hotspur, 13 caps, 31
As the only natural holding player in the squad, one of the key men, but also Hodgson’s biggest concern as he missed the last month of the Premier League season with an Achilles injury that is still troubling him. Played for 90 minutes against Belgium last Saturday, but was not at his best and his penchant for giving away free kicks was highlighted by a booking, which better teams will seek to exploit during the tournament. As wholehearted and committed as they come, but needs to learn to stay on his feet more often or risk becoming a liability.
PHIL JAGIELKA Everton, 12 caps, 29
Originally on the standby list, but played himself into the squad with an impressive performance in the 1-0 win over Norway in Oslo. One more player suffering the misfortune of an injury and the Everton player will have a place in the starting line-up after Gary Cahill’s withdrawal. Jagielka is a prototypical Hodgson player in terms of his professionalism, discipline and unflappable temperament. But in addition to his no-nonsense defending, he is surprisingly mobile and comfortable in possession and should be an asset to the squad.
STEWART DOWNING Liverpool, 34 caps, 27
Another who struggled to make the expected impact in his first year at Liverpool, where he famously failed to produce a single goal or assist throughout the Premier League season. He has looked more assured on his recent appearances for England, though, and on that basis deserves his place in the squad. His delivery from the left is his greatest asset, as he showed in providing several good crosses against Norway, but rarely gets to the byline. Is prepared to work hard defensively and Hodgson’s desire to play safe means he is likely to start against France.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN Arsenal, 2 caps, 18
The only wild-card selection in an otherwise conservative squad, Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed when given his full debut against Belgium at Wembley last Saturday without doing enough to force his way into the reckoning to face France in the opening group D match. Uses the ball more intelligently than Walcott and is more reliable in possession, so may already have supplanted his Arsenal team-mate in Hodgson’s thoughts. His pace, trickery and youthful confidence could make him an invaluable impact player off the bench.
JERMAIN DEFOE Tottenham Hotspur, 47 caps, 29
A genuine goalscorer, as he demonstrated by hitting the back of the net 17 times despite severely limited opportunities at Tottenham last season. His limited contribution elsewhere on the pitch, however, is likely to condemn him to the role of super-sub that has also become his lot at White Hart Lane. Defoe has much to offer in that role if England can give him the ball in dangerous positions, though, as he showed in an excellent cameo against Belgium at Wembley in which he hit the post and the side-netting in an action-packed 23 minutes.
DANNY WELBECK Manchester United, 5 caps, 21
Has recovered from an ankle injury just in time and staked his claim for a starting position against France with a well-taken goal against Belgium, his first for England. While not as dangerous in the air as Carroll, he offers more pace, intelligence and a greater range of movement, and would be the bolder selection. The understanding built up with Young and Rooney at United also counts in his favour, as does his ability to operate as a second striker. He would bring more variety and subtlety to England’s attacking play and be effective at closing down defenders.
JACK BUTLAND Birmingham City, 0 caps, 19
The member of the squad least likely to see any action, although he should benefit from the experience of being at a significant tournament so early in his career. His only senior football in the past two seasons has been 24 appearances for Cheltenham Town in League Two, but Dave Watson, England’s goalkeeping coach, has tipped him for the top after working with him at Birmingham. If the youngster makes a good impression, he could establish himself in the squad for the next decade and beyond.
ROY HODGSON Age: 64
The first England manager with previous international experience will need to use it wisely if he is to enjoy a successful campaign. In a month, Hodgson has endured the recurring pitfalls that come with the post — player politics, injuries and rotten luck — and has done well to reach this point with his sanity intact. Although hardly inspiring, his back-to-basics 4-4-2 approach makes sense given the limited time and players at his disposal. The key will be whether his squad are able to follow his straightforward instructions and gain some lucky breaks.