We've qualified! Time to look at who will be getting on that plane to Brazil...
KEEPERS
He might not be in the form of his life right now, but it doesn’t look like Joe Hart will be losing his No. 1 jersey any time soon. Hodgson is in no rush to give John Ruddy or Fraser Forster international experience either (they’ve only got one cap between them) so a fit Ben Foster appears to be second choice. The third spot is likely to be a toss-up between the Celtic and Norwich men, and it could be out of sight, out of mind for Forster.
Outsider: Jack Butland is currently on loan at Barnsley, but a January move to a Premier League club could see him force his way in to the reckoning. Where does he go though?
DEFENCE
Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Cole and Baines are nailed on. Phil Jones’ versatility should see him selected too, and the Man Utd man’s ability to play right-back could spell bad news for Kyle Walker, especially if Hodgson only picks seven defenders. There’s a central berth up for grabs though, no matter how many he takes. Chris Smalling’s there at the moment but his lack of game time at United may end up costing him. Steven Caulker could force his way in with a good season at Cardiff while Michael Dawson seems a sensible option too. However, if he were going to be selected, it surely would have happened by now.
Outsider: No one else comes to mind really. Curtis Davies has looked decent for Hull this season…
MIDFIELD
I’d imagine Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick, Wilshere and Walcott are all going. Not a lot of width there though, so Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a safe bet if he’s fit, and Andros Townsend hasn't done his chances any harm in the last two matches. Ross Barkley looks a good shout if he can keep his early season form going, and Tom Cleverley will probably make the cut too. Not sure what Hodgson sees in him though...
Outsiders: Raheem Sterling seems the go-to-guy whenever there’s an injury, but maybe Adam Lallana would be more deserving?
FORWARDS
It’s altogether more fluid in these days of 4-2-3-1, is Danny Welbeck any more a striker than Theo Walcott or Andros Townsend when he pulls on an England shirt? Though if you include him here alongside Rooney and Sturridge, then it’s likely that Hodgson will take 5 forwards to Brazil. Rickie Lambert and Jermaine Defoe look well-placed to provide back-up at present, but one of them could forfeit their place if Andy Carroll can get himself fit and find a bit of form before the end of the season.
Outsider: If Saido Berahino can reach double figures for West Brom this season, he could well be a candidate too.
Who have I missed?
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