FIFA World Cup 2010: The Stage Is Set for Michael Dawson To Make His Name

Rio Ferdinand's injury is a devastating blow for England, but the absence of their most experienced defender could open doors for a much younger centre half.

Michael Dawson has been called onto the England squad and, given the players around him, it is likely that he will come to play a part in the tournament.

Matthew Upson is short of form, Jamie Carragher is seen as right back cover and has barely played an international in years, and Ledley King's injury problems need no introduction.

This could be a blessing in disguise for the Three Lions.

It is almost a national tradition that every four years (should they qualify) an unlikely England hero emerges.

In Germany it was Owen Hargreaves.

2002 saw awesome displays from Nicky Butt, and 1998 was the year Michael Owen went stratospheric. 1990 was Gazza's year, 1986 Lineker's.

With Tom Huddlestone and Adam Johnson not making the squad, Dawson's reprieve offers him alone the opportunity to take on the mantle of unexpected hero.

There is no doubt that he is the player most in form amongst England's back line.

With their midfield misfiring, it's likely that their defence will come under an awful lot of pressure against the tournament's better teams once they escape their relatively easy group.

This is why a partnership between Terry and Dawson could come into its own towards the start of the knock-out phase.

And should they inspire the team to a famous last 16-win against Germany, we could be seeing them together far more between this World Cup and the next.