England: The team and the stars

London: — Going into the 2012 European Championship with England, Roy Hodgson had only a few weeks from being appointed to taking a squad to the tournament.

The two years since then have allowed Hodgson to implement his own plans, but he will head into the World Cup still relying on a core group of veterans alongside some tournament newcomers.

Here are five England players to watch:

WAYNE ROONEY

Wayne Rooney, the one truly world class striker in the England squad, has yet to deliver at a World Cup, failing to score in 2006 and 2010.

But with 38 goals in 89 international matches, Rooney is only 11 from matching Bobby Charlton’s England record.

A relief for England coach Roy Hodgson is that the Manchester United striker has settled his club future going into the World Cup by signing a new contract. A concern for Hodgson is just how Rooney might be affected by United’s lackluster season by the time he gets to Brazil.

“He has got a difficult job on his hands because they’ve had a disappointing season,” Hodgson said.

STEVEN GERRARD

As the team’s leader, Steven Gerrard is an automatic starter, and rightly so.

“Magisterial” is how England coach Roy Hodgson views a player who remains as influential at 33 but realistically facing one final shot at the World Cup.

Hodgson will be hoping Gerrard is not affected by Liverpool falling just short in the Premier League title race after a costly mistake by the midfielder in the run-in against Chelsea.

Thriving in a deeper role with rejuvenated Liverpool, Gerrard will come up against the master in that position in the World Cup opener: Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

Gerrard will match David Beckham’s record of 115 appearances for an England outfield player by playing in the three warm-up matches and three group stage games.

JOE HART

The 2010 World Cup will be remembered in England for goalkeeper Robert Green allowing Clint Dempsey’s long-range strike to slip through his hands.

In 26-year-old Joe Hart, England coach Roy Hodgson has a more reliable stopper between the posts, despite mishaps seeing him dropped by Manchester City for a time this season.

The blunders were uncharacteristic for one of England’s most reliable performers at Euro 2012, but Hart went on to help City win the Premier League.

“He made a couple of mistakes in (City) games, his coach decided to leave him out, but luckily he’s come back and played well,” Hodgson said.

Ross Barkley

Barkley’s already been hailed as the new Paul Gascoigne — with some pundits going as far as touting him to be better. Barkley’s direct play from midfield to attack could turn out to be just what England need to produce the goods and ease the pressure on Wayne Rooney — who can concentrate on goals rather than trudging back and creating also. Barkley has impressed in the friendlies and should be seeing his name in the starting lineup.

ADAM LALLANA

England coach Roy Hodgson sprang a surprise by calling up Adam Lallana for the November friendlies against Chile and Germany, and the versatile attacking midfielder retained his place in the squad for the draw with Denmark in March.

Not only should the 25-year-old Lallana make the World Cup squad but, if he maintains his lively goal-scoring form for Southampton, is a strong contender to start for England and provide an element of unpredictability the team desperately needs in Brazil.

Complete England squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson (both Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).

AP