England Squad Preview: June Qualifiers

Fabio Capello will name his squad this weekend for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in June. The Italian should reveal his final selection on Sunday evening after the completion of the final round of Premier League Fixtures.

The Three Lions face two World Cup Qualifiers, travelling first to Almaty to take on Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 6 before facing Andorraat Wembley four days later.

England currently boast a 100 percent record in Group Six, with five wins out of five, and will be expected to collect another six points against relatively modest opponents.

However, Capello’s task has been made more difficult as several players have already been ruled out of the matches, meaning that he will have to make at least five changes to his previous squad.

Goalkeepers David James and Ben Foster were ruled out of action this week until the beginning of next season after undergoing surgery for their shoulder and thumb injuries, respectively.

It was confirmed yesterday that Middlesbrough wideman Stewart Downing will be out of action for at least two to three months as he needs a pin inserted into his right foot after a challenge from Stilian Petrov last weekend.

Capello’s wide options were further limited by Mark Hughes’ announcement today that Shaun Wright-Phillips will miss the last game of the season on Sunday and will see a specialist over the summer in a bid to solve the knee complaint that has seen the winger miss his club's past six matches.

Phil Jagielka has been ruled out for the foreseeable future after he ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament against Manchester City last month.

In the goalkeeping department, Capello will most likely call on Robert Green for the two qualifying matches and Paul Robinson can also expect a recall to the squad after displaying good recent form with Blackburn.

Chris Kirkland is still struggling with injury, although he may be selected if he returns to action this weekend. If he doesn’t, then the third goalkeeping place should be decided between Scott Carson and Joe Hart, with Newcastle’s Steve Harper an outside chance.

Rio Ferdinand still remains a doubt for the Champions League final next Wednesday but should still be named in the squad. He could well withdraw at a later date depending on the state of his injury.

Ferdinand was the only Manchester United player to travel to the match in Trinidad and Tobago last summer, so may be allowed more leeway than most on the matter.

Chelsea duo John Terry and Ashley Cole should again be joined by Matt Upon and Joleen Lescott, with the latter’s club teammate Leighton Baines also pushing to be retained in the squad along with Wayne Bridge at left-back.

Glen Johnson appears to have nailed down the right-back position this season in the absence of Wes Brown, and a backup may be selected in the form of either Micah Richards or Luke Young.

Ledley King’s selection and subsequent withdrawal from the squad caused a stir back in March, but the Tottenham captain could in theory be selected for the qualifiers as they represent the very last games of the season with no club matches to follow.

Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard, and Michael Carrick should again be selected to compete for central midfield places as they were last time out.

However, Capello will be forced to freshen things up out wide in the absence of Downing and Wright-Phillips. David Beckham and Aaron Lennon should be joined by Theo Walcott and Ashley Young, although James Milner could also receive the call.

Up front, Capello will look to Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey to continue their profitable partnership. Support places in the squad will be fought for between Peter Crouch, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carlton Cole, and Jermain Defoe—the latter two having recently returned from injuries. Michael Owen is extremely unlikely to be considered for inclusion.