The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAs another International break comes to an end we now know the first teams through to the finals next summer in France. One countries place that has never been in doubt is England’s, it has been clear since the start of their qualification campaign last autumn that Roy Hodgson’s men would get out of group E without any problems.
So with England’s place guaranteed and Wayne Rooney finally surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal scoring record, the questions in press conferences with Hodgson will now be to do with the squad he selects for the tournament next May.
The Sports Lowdown’s football lead Ian Turner, give us his view on who, if available will make the managers final 23.
The Goalkeepers
Joe Hart
Will without doubt be one of the first names on Hodgson’s team sheet let alone the squad. Has been an ever present during qualification conceding only 3 goals along the way. Also ever since a slight blip in form at the start of the 2013/14 season, Hart has gone from strength to strength yet again putting himself into the top bracket of keepers around the world.
Fraser Forster
Since arriving in the Premier League 14 months ago, Forster has done nothing but impress and played a major part in Southampton’s superb defensive record last season. Forster is now recovering from a serious knee injury he picked up last march. At the time he was expected to be out for nine to twelve months. England and Southampton will hope he can return to action around Christmas, so that he can find his form in time for the tournament.
Jack Butland
A young talent goalkeeper who done his time in the under 21’s racking up 28 appearance’s. He also now appears to be Stoke City’s number one stopper starting the first four games this season, so with a full season in the Premier League under his belt I fully expect him to make the cut come May.
