How England Will Line Up Against Chile

England take on Chile in the first of two international friendlies at Wembley Stadium on Friday night as manager Roy Hodgson starts his preparations for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Three Lions also host Germany at the home of football on Tuesday evening, although it is likely that Hodgson will experiment by introducing a whole host of new faces for the visit of the South Americans, while then reverting to his first-choice lineup when Joachim Loew and Co. come to town.

However, despite being hit by the withdrawal of Manchester United pair Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck from the 28-man squad on Tuesday and skipper Steven Gerrard and Kyle Walker the following day, Hodgson has a number of options at his disposal against a Chile side that managed an impressive third-place finish during the recent South American World Cup qualifying campaign.

And with so many expected alterations in personnel from the last time England played against Poland in October, it is also possible that Hodgson will try out a new formation on Friday. So, this is how we expect England to line up against Chile in a 4-2-3-1 shape.

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster

The in-form Glasgow Celtic shot-stopper is likely to be given one half against Chile before fellow understudy John Ruddy plays the second period. Both keepers hope to catch the eye in the absence of usual No. 1 Joe Hart.

Right-Back: Glen Johnson

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Hodgson would likely have been planning on starting with Kyle Walker against Chile on Friday, only for the Tottenham Hotspur full-back to pull up lame in midweek.

That meant a recall to the starting XI for his first-choice right back from Liverpool after the 29-year-old had missed both of last month's World Cup qualifiers with a knee injury.

Left-Back: Ashley Cole

The race between the Chelsea veteran and Everton’s Leighton Baines is now just too close to call, especially in the light of the former’s recent axing by the Blues.

That may influence Hodgson’s thinking in giving Cole a run-out on Friday before making up his mind about who starts the second friendly encounter next week.

Centre-Back: Phil Jones

Hodgson now knows what his first-choice central-defensive partnership in Brazil will be, which means he will be desperate to see how his two backup centre-backs fare against the technically accomplished South Americans.

Centre-Back: Chris Smalling

Smalling played at right-back in his last England appearance against Poland at Wembley in the decisive World Cup qualifier last month. The 23-year-old did a fine job as well as cover for both Walker and Johnson, but expect him to be played in his more favoured central-defensive position on Friday.

Holding Midfield Player: Frank Lampard (captain)

England appearance No. 103 awaits the 35-year-old against Chile. The Chelsea legend will also be presented with a special commemorative 100th cap before the match.

He will skipper his country in the absence of captain Steven Gerrard, whose ongoing hip niggle is being monitored ahead of the midfielder’s expected return against the Germans.

Holding Midfield Player: Tom Cleverley

The United regular will have a chance to reassert his claim to a first-team place in Hodgson’s midfield. The 24-year-old had started the vast majority of his country’s early World Cup qualifiers, only to be swiftly benched as soon as the pressure began to mount on the Three Lions this autumn.

Left-Sided Forward: Adam Lallana

If anyone deserved an England call-up, then it was the young Saint. He has been lighting up St. Mary’s since the South Coast club made their return to the Premier League last year.

And what’s more, if the 25-year-old continues in this kind of attacking form between now and the end of the season, then he will have a genuine chance of making Hodgson’s final 23-man squad for next summer’s World Cup.

Right-Sided Forward: Jordan Henderson

The in-form Liverpool player’s last appearance for England came in their quarter-final defeat to Italy on penalties at Euro 2012, so the hard-working 23-year-old will be desperate to put in a good showing against Chile if he wants to be on the plane to Rio next summer.

Forward: Jay Rodriguez

The Southampton attacker is in line to earn his first full England cap at Wembley on Friday night following the injury-enforced withdrawal of United forward Welbeck, and it will be intriguing to see just how the former England Under-21 international performs under the spotlight.

Striker: Rickie Lambert

In the absence of injured front men Daniel Sturridge and Welbeck, and with Rooney being held back for the clash with the Germans on Tuesday, expect the home side to start with the 31-year-old as a lone centre forward playing off Rodriguez in the hole, while both Henderson and Lallana will also support that attacking duo from the wide areas.

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