England World Cup 2014: The Three Lions team Roy Hodgson should pick for the 2018 World Cup

Sam Wallace picks the XI he'd take to Russia 2018 in four years

Sam Wallace picks his England team for the 2018 World Cup (Getty Images)

It is always a difficult call to predict the development of a team four years hence. Some players will flourish, some fall by the wayside.

The Premier League will hope the Elite Player Performance Plan yields many more young English professional footballers over the next four years.

This is a potential XI. How the younger players will develop will depend much on the opportunities they are given.

Of course, Theo Walcott will only be 29 by Russia 2018 and still an international footballer. Patrick Roberts, the 17-year-old star of Fulham’s academy, could yet make the grade. And what better way to beat the Uruguayans at their own game than to recruit the son of one of their best players?

Gus Poyet was part of the 1995 Uruguay team that won the Copa America. His son Diego, born in Spain but raised in England, is at Charlton Athletic and has already played for the Football Association’s junior teams.

As for Wayne Rooney, he has said that he does not believe he will be around for another World Cup finals. Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will all still be young enough to play.

The question will be whether they face more, or less, competition for places.

Sam Wallace's potential England team for Russia 2018 (4-2-3-1)

GK: Jack Butland (Current club: Stoke City, current age: 21)

RB: Calum Chambers (Southampton, 19)

CB: John Stones (Everton, 20)

CB: Gary Cahill (Chelsea, 28)

LB: Luke Shaw (Southampton, 18)

CM: Diego Poyet (Charlton Athletic, 19)

CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal, 20)

RAM: Patrick Roberts (Fulham, 17)

CAM: Ross Barkley (Everton, 20)

LAM: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool, 19)

ST: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool, 24)