ENGLAND'S POTENTIAL FRONT LINE NEXT SUMMER

The international week will be coming very soon and with a place in South Africa already sealed for England, all the attention for the players will be to cement their place in the team. As nine potential players have been short listed for the striking department, lets take a look at which of these strikers might march to South Africa with the three lions.

Wayne Rooney

Ruling out the possibilities of injuries, Wazza should be among the first players to make the team sheet. The 2008 champions league winner has been in the side since 2003 as a 17 year old playing for Everton and has been in the squad ever since. His performance in Euro 2004 showed that he has come to age and is ready for the big stage. Rooney will be desperate to make amends of the sending against Portugal in the last World Cup and lead the three lions to glory.

Jermain Defoe

Defoe has started the season excellently for Spurs and if he nets 20 goals or more for Spurs this campaign, it should also mean a ticket to South Africa with the national team. The former Hammer was unfortunate not to make the team in 2006 due to the surprise inclusion of Theo Walcott by Sven Goran Erikkson rather than him. Defoe will ultimately bring a lot of pace and trickery into the team.

Emile Heskey

Heskey is one player who doesn't need to score regularly but could still make the team. Though he has been criticised for the lack of goals, the former Liverpool man can still bring a lot to the team with his physical presence and is constantly a menace for defenders. His main contribution for England over the years is feeding other players with good goal scoring opportunities. His international career looked to be over until he recaptured his form with Wigan and has proved the critics wrong with his importance to the game. Even with a mediocre season with the Villains, Heskey should make the England due to the combination with Wazza.

Gabriel Agbonlahor

With 2 England caps already under his belt after a run of good form at the start of last season, a more build Agbonlahor has started well once more and all he needs is a good finish to the season to win a place in the England set-up. Even of he misses the trip to South Africa, this lad is seen as the future of the England team and should lead the Three Loins to glory for years to come.

Micheal Owen

Moving to Manchester United might have increased his chances for an England call up but the lack of playing time will certainly not impress Capello. Despite this problem, his instinct in front of goal is priceless and his experience is essential. If he gets on Sir Alex team sheet more often, a place for Owen should be within reach. Should he make it to South Africa, it will be Owen’s fourth straight World Cup and only David Beckham from the current side could match that record.

Peter Crouch

Crouch’s form has increased along with Tottenham’s this season yet he still struggles to make the team at White Hart Lane. His aerial ability has always been the positive side of his game and managers in the past has used him to change the face of the game. This factor will always lie at the back of Capello’s mind when he picks his final squad to South Africa. His record with the three lions has been impressive as well, scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances.

Carlton Cole

Carlton Cole has finally made use of his full potential with the Hammers after moving on loan to no less than three clubs during his time with Chelsea. Gianfranco Zola, the Hammers boss and former Chelsea teammate of Cole, has brought the best out of him. His physical presence and pace is a good combination that the likes of Crouch and Defoe don’t possess. Despite this advantage, Cole might still struggle to make the cut as he lacks consistency and fails to perform at major platforms.

Darren Bent

Bent frequently made the team during his time at Charlton but the lack of form during his time in Spurs has seen him fall out of the England set up. With four England caps collected but no goals to show, Bent has recaptured his form after his big move to the Black Cats and his partnership with Kenwyne Jones has so far been a success with Bent netting 7 goals in 8 games. A good season for Bent will push his bid for an England place and be within the eyes of the England gaffer.

Andy Johnson

Probably the biggest outsider for the job, AJ has won 8 England caps but no goals to show. A run of good form and if a few regulars find themselves injured, Johnson might just nick a ticket to South Africa.

Below are my top 9 strikers for the England team. With only 4 or 5 probably making the team, here are my choices in order.

1. Wayne Rooney
2. Jermain Defoe
3. Emile Heskey
4. Peter Crouch
5. Darren Bent
6. Gabriel Agbonlahor
7. Carlton Cole
8. Micheal Owen
9. Andy Johnson