Predicting England's Starting Lineup at World Cup 2014 in Brazil

England produced a respectable if unspectacular return on their Euro 2012 campaign a month ago in Ukraine and Poland. The quarterfinal exit at the hands of Italy was about the expected level of the team, having undergone a change of manager just weeks earlier and suffering several injury concerns.

It was, nonetheless, another missed opportunity for the English international side and several talented players to try and add a major tournament to their career achievements.

Certain elder individuals like John Terry and Ashley Cole may not be around when the next tournament—the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—leaving some starting spots open for the younger generation.

Here is an early look at what England's starting line-up could look like in Brazil.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

England's current number one stopper, Joe Hart of Manchester City, will continue to be the nation's first choice for the World Cup 2014 campaign—and likely well beyond.

With 22 caps to his name at just age 25, Hart is capable of improving further yet and will likely be far and away England's best goalkeeper for the next half a dozen years.

By the time he is entering his 30's, Jack Butland may be ready to challenge him—who will then be around the same age Hart is now—but Hart should realistically have his sights set on the 100-cap mark if injuries do not befall him too frequently.

A certainty for Brazil in 2014 should England make it.

Full-Backs: Kyle Walker and Ryan Bertrand

All-change at full-back for England by the time the next World Cup starts.

Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole might start the qualifying campaign in the right and left-back spots respectively, but age in the case of the latter and competition in the case of the former are going to see them both usurped before the finals itself.

England have two interesting prospects at left-back, with Arsenal's Keiran Gibbs and Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand the main front runners, whilst Liverpool's Jack Robinson is also a sure-fire bet for international games in the future, though the 2014 World Cup will come too soon for him.

Bertrand isn't as dynamic on the ball as Gibbs, but he has a solidity and reliability about him which will appeal to boss Roy Hodgson.

On the right, even more players will be challenging for the defensive spot.

In this instance Kyle Walker could be the biggest winner, with his pace and threat from wide areas, allied to improving defensive performances, getting him the nod.

Central Defenders: Gary Cahill and Joleon Lescott

Not so many big changes in the centre of defence though; Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has made one spot his own with an assured performance at Euro 2012.

The other will simply see one Chelsea defender replacing another, as John Terry will be, at 33 going into the World Cup, no longer a first choice.

Gary Cahill will likely replace him in the absence of many other genuine candidates, though Phil Jones will likely be playing far more regularly in defence by this time.

Central Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (captain) and Jack Rodwell

One area of the pitch where Hodgson will look to retain some experience will be the centre of midfield, with captain Steven Gerrard retaining a place in the squad—assuming his fitness and willingness hold up.

With a slower-paced approach to the game from Gerrard over the past season, and likely to continue for the next couple of years at club level, he should still be more than capable of performing for one final tournament.

Alongside him, Scott Parker will likely be replaced.

He did a fine job for England, but that's all—nothing to warrant an extended stay in the full international set up.

Gareth Barry will be 33, likely ruling him out of the squad as he has never been a key player for England, whilst Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley are all excellent technical players.

Which, of course, is not what is or will be required for this position under Roy Hodgson.

Ergo, Jack Rodwell has a good chance of getting the nod to partner Gerrard. His workrate, stamina and willingness to sit in and do a holding midfielder's job make him a front-runner for the position, and he will in fact likely take over Gerrard's job of moving through the gears further forward to support the attack when required.

Rodwell's own career has suffered a bit of a blip in the past 18 months with injuries and loss of consistency as a result, but statistically he is still improving in all key areas.

The next two years could have a real impact on his career at club and country level.

Wide Midfielders: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jack Wilshere

Didn't think Wilshere would be absent did you?!

Shoe-horned into a position to make him part of the team, placate those who want a more footballing essence to the side and expecting him to do a job he is patently unsuited to, Jack Wilshere will be shoved into England's midfield as an afterthought.

Asked to play as a wide midfielder to receive the ball in space before coming infield to help create chances, don't be surprised if Wilshere plays wide right midfield for England.

And does the job dismally. Before being labelled an "international flop" by the country's media.

Roy Hodgson's system—those methods which have, remember, translated from Halmstads to Malmo to Orebro to Neuchatel Xamax—simply don't allow for a ball-playing, passing midfielder to help his team control the tempo of the game.

Wilshere will be shoved into the team and asked to be one of the creative fulcrums as he is for Arsenal, despite receiving the ball perhaps less than 50 percent as much as he does with the Gunners.

On the opposite flank, fellow Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has already shown, despite his 18 years of age, that he has enough to be a real talent and threat for club and country. He should nail down a regular starting position by the time the World Cup starts.

Forwards: Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll

Once playing regularly and regaining some form as well as an expected increase in footballing ability over the next two years as he gains more experience, it's just clear that Andy Carroll will be a Roy Hodgson favourite.

He offers the team power and presence, a link to the midfield and a target to hit from distance.

Wayne Rooney will be in his peak years, aged 28, for the 2014 World Cup so will be desperate to have a telling impact at the tournament.

His stand-out ability, head and shoulders above any other English attacker, means he is an automatic pick.

Unless he's suspended again.

Rest of the Squad

A starting XI is difficult enough to pick two years in advance; selecting the other 12 squad members would be even more open to change and surprise.

Even so, there are some who might be shoo-ins, and others who have a chance depending on their own future development for the next two years.

In goal, Jack Butland and John Ruddy look like being the only real competitors for Hart to deal with, as Rob Green will be 34 years old, Scott Carson has never looked like making a place his own and Frank Fielding and David Stockdale are both into their mid-20's without having impacted on the national team so far.

The defence is wide open, for certain. John Terry could still command a place in the squad with his experience, whilst Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will hope to have continued their progress.

Left-back Keiran Gibbs will likely be the replacement for any injuries befalling Bertrand, but on the right side Hodgson will have more options. Glen Johnson, Micah Richards and Martin Kelly will all be talented enough to make the squad, though arguably the latter two could be regulars for their clubs in the centre of defence by this time.

Midfield presents spots for Jordan Henderson and Tom Cleverley in the middle, though the likes of Tom Huddlestone could regain a place in the squad in the ensuing period if he recovers his form and fitness under Andre Villas-Boas at Spurs.

Ashley Young and Theo Walcott would be two favourites for the extra wing places, but there is always the chance that an exciting youngster could gatecrash the party in this position—look no further than Raheem Sterling or Nathan Redmond if so.

And up front, expect two from the three of Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Connor Wickham, who has long been expected to challenge for an international spot.

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