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England will be dealt a huge boost ahead of their World Cup opener with Italy this afternoon, when Danny Welbeck shrugs off fitness doubts to trains with Roy Hodgson’s squad.
Welbeck dealt Hodgson a potential huge selection problem two days ago when he limped out of training, after pulling up with what looked like a hamstring strain in Rio de Janeiro.
Welbeck has been seen as a vital part of the England game plan against the Italians in the heat of Manaus, which has been under preparation for weeks.
Hodgson wants to start with him because of his ability to close down Daniele de Rossi and to provide pace on the counter attack.
That plan seemed to be in doubt when Welbeck left the training ground with strapping on the inside of his thigh after treatment from England physio Gary Lewin.
But though sources said yesterday that Welbeck’s fitness was touch and go, it is becoming increasingly clear that he will be fit to face the Italians.
Show all 23 1 /23England World Cup 23-man squad numbers England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 1. Joe Hart - Goalkeeper Age – 27 Caps – 41 Goals – 0 The Manchester City No 1 suffered a dip in form mid-season that saw Manuel Pellegrini drop him for understudy Costel Pantilimon. But Hart has recovered superbly to dismiss any talk that he won’t be Roy Hodgson’s first choice in Brazil.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 13. Ben Foster – Goalkeeper Age – 31 Caps – 7 Goals – 0 Having retired from international football, Foster was persuaded to make himself available for his country once again. Played the full 90 minutes against Ecuador last week.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 22. Fraser Forster - Goalkeeper Age – 26 Caps – 2 Goals – 0 Forster made his debut in the Wembley defeat to Chile in November last year, but his form with a strong Celtic side north of the border has seen him force his way into consideration for some time. Saw of the challenge of Norwich’s John Ruddy to make the squad.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 2. Glen Johnson – Right-back Age – 29 Caps – 52 Goals – 1 Johnson has cemented the right-back berth as his own this season, with his main rival Kyle Walker suffering an inconsistent season that has been disrupted by injury. Has a tendency to forget his defensive duties when he marauds up the pitch, which will be a worrying sight in Brazil against the world’s best.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 12. Chris Smalling – Centre-back/Right-back Age – 24 Caps – 12 Goals – 0 Smalling’s versatility in defence stands him with a good chance of playing in Brazil, although he has not pushed on as much as was hoped when Manchester United signed him in 2010. Unlikely to start if Hodgson’s preferred back-four are fully fit.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 16. Phil Jones – Centre-back Age – 22 Caps – 10 Goals – 0 Jones’ inclusion had been put into question after he suffered a shoulder injury that required him to go to hospital during the victory over Hull last week. But after getting the OK for Brazil, Hodgson has decided to include the young defender, who offers a similar versatility as his club colleague Smalling as well as fulfilling a role as a holding midfielder.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 5. Gary Cahill – Centre-back Age – 28 Caps – 24 Goals – 3 Cahill was a part of the standout defence this season as Chelsea’s back-four conceded the least amount of goals by a considerable margin. He has solidified his selecting in the starting XI in recent years and has pace to get the side out of trouble if needed.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 6. Phil Jagielka – Centre-back Age – 31 Caps – 26 Goals - 2 Worryingly for England, Jagielka missed a considerable number of games in the run-in to the end of the season, but the Everton captain made a timely return after two months out for the narrow defeat to Manchester City at the beginning of May. Likely to partner Cahill at the back as he offers experience and calmness to a young-looking defence.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 3. Leighton Baines – Left-back Age – 29 Caps – 24 Goals – 1 The set-piece master has battled past the long-serving Ashley Cole to assume the left-back role under Hodgson, and he is expected to continue in Brazil after a solid season with the Toffees which saw them challenge for the top four.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 23. Luke Shaw – Left-back Age – 18 Caps – 2 Goals – 0 The Southampton teenager has enjoyed a tremendous year that has led to calls nationwide for his inclusion in the World Cup squad, despite his inexperience. Made his debut in the March victory over Denmark, and looks to be the ideal replacement to Ashley Cole, with the 107-cap veteran missing out on a fourth consecutive World Cup and announcing his international retirement as a result.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 4. Steven Gerrard - Central midfielder (Captain) Age: 33 Caps: 110 Goals: 21 The captain of the side has enjoyed a brilliant but ultimately disappointing season with Liverpool. The Reds managed to remain in contention for the Premier League title until the last day of the season but ultimately missed out. Gerrard's costly slip in the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea is quickly becoming the defining moment of their season. Deployed in a deeper role this season.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 8. Frank Lampard - midfielder Age - 35 Caps - 105 Goals - 29 The Chelsea midfielder will be one of the older heads in the England squad. While unlikely to be a starter in Brazil, should he get opportunity he will want to atone for the injustice of his 'ghost goal' at the last tournament in 2010 when he scored against Germany but it wasn't given.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 7. Jack Wilshere - Central midfielder Age: 22 Caps: 18 Goals: 0 Arsenal midfielder suffered a foot injury playing for England on 5 March, but returned for the Gunners on their final game of the season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed he would be ready to go for the start of the World Cup.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 20. Adam Lallana - Central midfielder Age – 26 Caps – 5 Goals – 0 He may be relatively inexperienced at international level, but the Southampton captain has had an extraordinary year that saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year as well as breaking into Hodgson’s side. His ability to utilise both feet could prove a real threat in Brazil.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 14. Jordan Henderson - Midfielder Age: 23 Caps: 11 Goals: 0 His loss to the team was notable for all to see in Liverpool’s woeful end to season. In the three matches he was suspended for, the Reds dropped from the top of the league, taking four points from a possible nine.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 21. Ross Barkley - Central midfielder Age: 20 Caps: 6 Goals: 0 The Everton midfielder has burst out of the traps at Goodison Park this season, resembling Wayne Rooney in his pomp. Barkley has made 34 league appearances for Roberto Martinez this season, scoring six goals.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 17. James Milner - Midfielder Age: 28 Caps: 47 Goals: 1 Mr Dependable for both club and country. Could win his 50th cap in Brazil if England get past the group stage.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Midfielder Age: 20 Caps: 15 Goals: 3 Suffered a knee injury in the friendly against Ecuador but manager Roy Hodgson hopes the Arsenal midfielder will return against Uruguay on 19 June.
England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 19. Raheem Sterling - Midfielder Age: 19 Caps: 4 Goals: 0 Despite Liverpool’s faltering end to the season, Sterling has excelled this term for Brendan Rodgers, impressing down the wing and also through the middle. With Theo Walcott missed the finals because of injury, Sterling will offer some badly-needed pace.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 11. Danny Welbeck – Striker Age – 23 Caps – 24 Goals – 8 While Welbeck’s form for Manchester United this season hasn’t been the best, he remains a favourite of Hodgson’s and tends to shine on the international stage, having scored in the 3-2 victory over Sweden in the 2012 European Championships with a deft back-heel flick. Has a tendency to be deployed on the left, and could be overlooked in the starting line-up for the in-form Sterling.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 9. Daniel Sturridge – Striker Age – 24 Caps – 11 Goals – 4 Sturridge has flourished this season in his partnership with Premier League top scorer Luis Suarez, netting an impressive 21 league goals in helping Liverpool to finish second. Hodgson has shown a preference to start Sturridge in the striker role with Wayne Rooney playing off the Reds frontman, and is likely to be one of the first names on the team-sheet come 14 June.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 10. Wayne Rooney – Striker Age – 28 Caps – 91 Goals – 39 Rooney will head to Brazil as one of England’s most experienced squad members, and the United striker will once again have the weight of a nation’s expectations on his broad shoulders. The forward has been given licence to roam in the Three Lions shirt, although he is yet to produce his brilliant best at a World Cup, having been to the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.
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England World Cup 23-man squad numbers 18. Rickie Lambert – Striker Age – 32 Caps – 6 Goals – 3 Aiming for a successful tournament in Brazil on the back of his "dream" move to Liverpool.
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It had been thought that his role against the Italians was contingent on him training today and that will now happen.
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