Coach
Fabio CAPELLO
18.06.46
Coach since January 2008
A phenomenally successful club coach, winning the 1994 European Cup with Milan and league titles with Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus. Won 32 caps as a midfielder for Italy, including three appearances at the 1974 World Cup.
Goalkeepers
Robert GREEN
18.01.80
West Ham United
9 caps (0 goals)
A reserve in 2006 but likely first choice in South Africa. First England keeper to be sent off, against Ukraine in penultimate 2010 World Cup qualifier. Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charity in 2008.
Joe HART
19.04.87
Birmingham City
1 cap (0 goals)
Highly-rated young keeper who has enjoyed an excellent season at Birmingham, on loan from Man City, where Shay Given’s arrival squeezed him out. Likely to travel to South Africa for the experience. Started at Shrewsbury, joining City in 2006.
David JAMES
01.08.70
Portsmouth
49 caps (0 goals)
Back in favour after being dropped by Steve McClaren and in good form despite Portsmouth’s relegation. Nicknamed “Calamity” for past errors, his age (39) is a concern. Opinionated (writes a column for Observer) and environmentally aware (runs a car on rapeseed oil).
THE COACH
Fabio CAPELLO
18.06.46
Coach since January 2008
A phenomenally successful club coach, winning the 1994 European Cup with Milan and league titles with Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus. Won 32 caps as a midfielder for Italy, including three appearances at the 1974 World Cup.
Defenders
Jamie Carragher
28.01.78
Liverpool
36 caps (0 goals)
Carragher was a surprise inclusion by Capello as the experienced defender had announced his retirement from international football three years earlier. Will provide useful cover at centre-back and full-back and can even play the holding role in midfield.
Ashley COLE
20.12.80
Chelsea
77 caps (0 goals)
Lampooned by many fans for his celebrity marriage and “Cashley” nickname, but still an outstanding full-back, arguably the best left-back in the world. Suffered a broken ankle in March but set to recover in time for the World Cup.
Michael DAWSON
11.11.83
Tottenham Hotspur
0 caps
Originally omitted from the final 23, Dawson was called up as a replacement for Rio Ferdinand, who was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury. Impressive campaign during 2009-10 saw him voted Spurs’ player of the year.
Glen JOHNSON
23.08.84
Liverpool
20 caps (0 goals)
Excellent attacking right-back but questionable defensive qualities. Set to recover from a knee injury in time for World Cup. Joined Liverpool for £17m from Portsmouth last summer. Once arrested for stealing a toilet seat from a DIY store.
Ledley KING
12.10.80
Tottenham Hotspur
19 caps (1 goal)
Gifted defender with exceptional timing and positional sense. A one-club man who has been troubled by chronic knee problems which prevent him playing more than once a week and led to Spurs manager Harry Redknapp calling him an “absolute freak”.
John TERRY
07.12.80
Chelsea
59 caps (6 goals)
Stripped of captaincy following tabloid revelations of an affair with the ex-partner of a team-mate (Wayne Bridge), his form for Chelsea has suffered of late. On his day, a commanding centre-back and a big goal threat at set-pieces.
Matthew UPSON
18.04.79
West Ham United
19 caps (1 goal)
Likely reserve centre-back who has impressed at West Ham following a £6m move from Birmingham in January 2007. Not world-class but fit and rarely puts a foot wrong. Stated at Luton, his early career at Arsenal was disrupted by injuries.
Stephen WARNOCK
12.12.81
Aston Villa
1 cap (0 goals)
Left-back who has impressed for Villa this season. Pipped Everton’s Leighton Baines as back-up for Ashely Cole.
Midfielders
Gareth BARRY
23.02.81
Manchester City
36 caps (2 goals)
Left-sided defensive midfielder who made a controversial switch to Man City last summer after more than a decade at Aston Villa having said a year earlier that he favoured a move to Liverpool for Champions League football .
Michael CARRICK
28.07.81
Manchester United
21 caps (0 goals)
Central midfielder with good passing skills, comfortable on the ball, favoured by Capello, but has had an inconsistent season at club level. Born and raised in the north east but came through the ranks at West Ham.
Joe COLE
08.11.81
Chelsea
53 caps (10 goals)
Has struggled to win his place back in the Chelsea first team after more than a year out with a serious knee injury. On his day he is England’s most creative midfielder. Scored one of the goals of the 2006 World Cup, against Sweden.
Steven GERRARD
30.05.80
Liverpool
78 caps (18 goals)
The Liverpool captain has endured a frustrating season at club level, but has at least stayed free from injury in recent months. Despite his inspirational goalscoring feats for his club, he has not fully delivered at international level.
Frank LAMPARD
20.06.78
Chelsea
77 caps (20 goals)
Goalscorer midfielder, whose runs from deep make him a dangerous opponent. England’s Footballer of the Year in 2005. Another graduate of West Ham, where his father Frank senior and uncle, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, also played.
Aaron LENNON
16.04.87
Tottenham Hotspur
15 caps (0 goals)
Pacy right winger who forced David Beckham out of the England first team. Made his debut aged 16 for hometown club Leeds before £1million move to Spurs in 2005. At 5ft 5in, he could be the smallest player at World Cup.
James MILNER
04.01.86
Aston Villa
7 caps (0 goals)
Versatile midfielder who has enjoyed an excellent season at Villa, being voted PFA young player of the year. Primarily a wide man but has also been played in centre at Villa and can also play at full-back. Joined Villa from Newcastle for £12m in 2008.
Shaun WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
25.10.81
Manchester City
30 caps (6 goals)
Speedy winger is another option on the right flank. Missed out in 2006, but was a surprise call-up by Capello, who preferred the Manchester City man to Theo Walcott.
Forwards
Peter CROUCH
30.01.81
Tottenham Hotspur
37 caps (20 goals)
Has gained notoriety for his height (6ft 7in) and goal celebrations but he can claim a highly effective strike-rate at international level. Much-travelled, he has been back at his first club Spurs since a £10million move from Portsmouth in 2009.
Jermain DEFOE
07.10.82
Tottenham Hotspur
39 caps (11 goals)
Sharp finisher in the Michael Owen mould who was surprisingly left out of the 2006 squad in favour of Walcott. A prolific scorer since youth level when he scored in 10 successive games for Bournemouth on loan from West Ham.
Emile HESKEY
11.01.78
Aston Villa
57 caps (7 goals)
Physically imposing target man who is approaching veteran status. His poor goal return for England belies his role as a creator for others. Has struggled to get a game at Villa this season.
Wayne ROONEY
24.10.85
Manchester United
58 caps (25 goals)
The player on whom England’s fortunes depend. A street footballer with a brilliant football brain and instinctive finishing ability. From a family of amateur boxers, fatherhood – son Kai was born earlier this year – has helped him to mature.
ALSO IN CONTENTION
DEFENDERS
Michael DAWSON
11.11.83
Tottenham Hotspur
0 caps
Centre-back in impressive form for Spurs.
Joleon LESCOTT
16.08.82
Manchester City
9 caps (0 goals)
Could sneak in if he proves his fitness as cover in centre or left-back.
Gary NEVILLE
Manchester United
85 caps (0 goals)
Veteran right-back could make a surprise return as injury cover.
MIDFIELDERS
Owen HARGREAVES
20.01.81
Manchester United
42 caps (0 goals)
Experienced midfielder who would be a shoe-in if he could prove his long-term fitness.
Adam JOHNSON
14.07.87
Manchester City
0 caps
Highly-rated Under-21 left winger who has been a revelation since his move from Middlesbrough to Manchester in January.
Shaun WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
25.10.81
Manchester City
30 caps (6 goals)
Speedy winger is another option on the right flank.
