Who's on the plane to South Africa? Martin Lipton rates the World Cup chances of all 55 of Capello's England players

By Martin Lipton in Mirror Football Blog

Published 12:15 14/10/09

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By Martin Lipton

England boss Fabio Capello has invited all the players to have appeared in his squads over the past two years to Wembley tonight.

So 55 players, from up-and-coming Peterborough goalkeeper Joe Lewis to falling stars like Michael Owen, get the chance to join in the celebration of England's progress to the World Cup finals.

Daily Mirror chief football writer Martin Lipton gives the low-down on each player, and assesses their chances of making it into Capello's 23-man squad travelling to South Africa.

David James
Age: 39, Caps: 49, Capello: 13 starts, one sub, 1110 minutes.
Confirmed first choice and targeting the chance to become the 21st century Dino Zoff.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Wes Brown
Age: 29, Caps: 21, Capello: 7 starts, 570 minutes, one goal.
Initially first-choice but injuries and the emergence of Johnson have harmed him.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Ashley Cole
Age: 28, Caps: 77, Capello: 16 starts, 1384 minutes.
No contenders for his status as the premier left-back. A certainty.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Rio Ferdinand
Age: 30, Caps: 75, Capello: 11 starts, 911 minutes, one goal.
Recent blunders not impressive but a class act if on his game.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Matthew Upson
Age: 30, Caps: 17, Capello: 8 starts, 2 subs, 742 minutes, one goal.
Firmly established as Capello’s third choice centre-half. Consistent, if not outstanding.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Gareth Barry
Age: 28, Caps: 33, Capello: 16 starts, one sub, 1322 minutes, two goals.
Has made himself a fixture by providing balance and ballast.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

David Bentley
Age: 25, Caps: seven, Capello: one start, four subs, 218 minutes.
So far out of the frame now it’s a joke. Has let himself down.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures. 

Joe Cole
Age: 27, Caps: 53, Capello: three starts, three subs, 190 minutes, 3 goals.
Out since January with that horror cruciate injury but will go if fit.
World Cup rating: At passport control. 

Steven Gerrard
Age: 29, Caps: 77, Capello: 13 starts, 903 minutes 4 goals.
Scouse ace has seamlessly adapted to role on the left. Essential component.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Jermaine Jenas
Age: 26, Caps: 20, Capello: one start, two subs, 103 minutes, one goal.
Scored the first goal of the Capello era but slipped off the radar.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Wayne Rooney
Age: 23, Caps: 56, Capello: 16 starts, 11 goals, 1266 minutes, 11 goals.
Top scorer, talisman and ace in the England pack. Capello’s keystone.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Scott Carson
Age: 24, Caps: 3, Capello: one sub, 45 minutes.
The selection that summed up Steve McClaren’s reign and still to live that down.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Chris Kirkland
Age: 28, Caps: one, Capello: Unused.
Only England cap came against Greece in McClaren’s first game and injury-prone.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Wayne Bridge
Age: 29, Caps 34, Capello three starts, four subs, 320 minutes.
Ashley Cole’s perennial understudy but will go unless Kieran Gibbs shines at Arsenal.
World Cup rating: At passport control.

Joleon Lescott
Age: 27, Caps eight, Capello two starts, two subs, 251 minutes.
An attacking threat in the air but doubts must persist over defensive quality.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Micah Richards
Age: 21, Caps: 11, Capello: Unused.
Capello simply does not think he is a player at all. Forget it.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Jonathan Woodgate
Age: 29, Caps: eight, Capello: one start, one sub, 123 minutes.
Spurs defender’s injury problems appear to have seen him discounted by Capello.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Owen Hargreaves
Age: 28, Caps: 42, Capello: two starts, one sub, 196 minutes.
Injury-plagued and hardly kicked a ball for 16 months but if fit surely he will go.
World Cup rating: At passport control.

Shaun Wright-Phillips
Age: 27, Caps: 27, Capello: three starts, six subs, 425 minutes, one goal.
Had his chances and not taken them. Dropping down pecking order.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Ashley Young
Age: 24, Caps: six, Capello: one start, four subs, 162 minutes.
Opportunities have knocked but gone begging. Struggles to cope with pressure.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Peter Crouch
Age: 28, Caps: 34, Capello: two starts, eight subs, 419 minutes, two goals.
Scored on both his Capello starts but isn’t what the Italian wants.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Jermain Defoe
Age: 27, Caps: 37 Capello: five starts, six subs, 450 minutes, eight goals.
Seen by Capello as the bench replacement for Rooney but great scoring record.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Michael Owen
Age: 29, Caps: 89, Capello: one sub, 45 minutes.
Forget the record, the face doesn’t fit. hard to see that changing.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

John Terry
Age: 28, Caps: 57, Capello: 15 starts, 1305 minutes, three goals.
Skipper will lead England to South Africa with customary grit and desire.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

David Beckham
Age: 34, Caps: 114, Capello: six starts, nine subs, 546 minutes.
Fitness warning has been heeded. Will go if playing for Milan.
World Cup rating: At passport control.

Paul Robinson
Age: 29, Caps: 41, Capello: Unused.
Back in the frame despite no appearances for Capello. Not discounted yet.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Glen Johnson
Age: 25, Caps: 19, Capello: 12 starts, two subs, 1125 minutes.
Attacking thrust and first choice right-back despite defensive deficiencies.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Stewart Downing
Age: 25, Caps: 23, Capello: three starts, four subs, 348 minutes.
Started World Cup campaign but now an outsider at best.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Theo Walcott
Age: 20, Caps: seven, Capello: six starts, one sub, 477 minutes, three goals.
Came of age in Zagreb but injured frequently since. Still should go.
World Cup rating: At passport control.

Robert Green
Age: 29, Caps: eight, Capello: six starts, one sub, 508 minutes.
Red card in Ukraine saw James leapfrog back in front but should be No 2.
World Cup rating: At passport control.

Frank Lampard
Age: 31, Caps: 75, Capello: 14 starts, one sub, 1205 minutes, six goals.
Any doubts over his status long since ended. Class act and integral.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Joe Hart
Age: 22, Caps: one, Capello: one sub 45 minutes.
Looks nervy and edgy. Could still sneak in as third keeper but odds against.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Joe Lewis
Age: 22, Caps 0, Capello: Unused.
Called in for Trinidad trip but not near since. Not an option.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

David Wheater
Age: 22, Caps 0, Capello: Unused
Atonement extra will need part in Zulu remake to be in South Africa.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Phil Jagielka
Age: 27, Caps: 3, Capello: one start, two subs, 92 minutes.
Injured now but could be the fourth centre-half as right-sided.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Stephen Warnock
Age: 27, Caps: one, Capello: one sub, six minutes.
Brief appearance to thank him for making Trinidad trip. Can make summer plans.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Tom Huddlestone
Age: 22, Caps 0, Capello: Unused.
Went to Trinidad without playing but not completely out of it still.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Gabriel Agbonlahor
Age: 23, Caps: two, Capello: two starts, 151 minutes.
Big chance against Belarus tonight and needs to take it.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Dean Ashton
Age: 25, Caps one, Capello: one start, 45 minutes.
Barely spotted for West ham since Trinidad debut. Out of the frame.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Emile Heskey
Age: 31, Caps: 57, Capello: ten starts, two subs, 703 minutes, two goals.
Has become central to Plan A and an unlikely folk hero.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Ledley King
Age: 28, Caps: 19, Capello: Unused.
Damaged knees have destroyed his chance even though Capello would like him.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Michael Mancienne
Age: 21, Caps: 0, Capello: Unused.
Came along for the ride in Germany but still a novice.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Curtis Davies
Age: 24, Caps: 0, Capello: Unused.
Included in early squads but not for 11 months.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Scott Parker
Age: 29, Caps: three, Capello: Unused.
Called up for Germany but stayed on bench. As close as he will get.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Jimmy Bullard
Age: 30, Caps: 0, Capello: Unused.
Surprise choice at start of last season but not a contender any more.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Darren Bent
Age: 25, Caps: four, Capello: one sub, 45 minutes.
Missed great chance in Germany but Sunderland goals mean he is not dead yet.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Michael Carrick
Age: 28, Caps: 20, Capello: three starts, three subs, 376 minutes.
Might have blown his chance in Ukraine. Certainly struggling.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Luke Young
Age: 30, Caps: seven, Capello: Unused.
Called up for Spain game but not seen since.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

James Milner
Age: 23, Caps: four, Capello: four subs, 132 minutes.
Capello fancies him for versatility and verve. Must be very close.
World Cup rating: At passport control.

Carlton Cole
Age: 25, Caps: five, Capello: five subs, 94 minutes.
Needs to decide if he wants it or not. Might lack the mentality.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Aaron Lennon
Age: 22, Caps: 14, Capello: four starts, one sub, 242 minutes.
Taken advantage of Walcott’s problems to become first choice on the right.
World Cup rating: Tickets checked and on the plane.

Ben Foster
Age: 26, Caps: two, Capello: one sub, 46 minutes.
Poor season could cost him everything. Must get it right tonight.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

Leighton Baines
Age: 24, Caps: 0, Capello: Unused.
On the bench against Slovakia but did not get the call.
World Cup rating: Look at the holiday brochures.

Gary Neville
Age: 34, Caps: 85, Capello: Unused.
Called up last summer but not fit enough. Surely too late now.
World Cup rating: Bags packed just in case.

Gary Cahill
Age: 23, Caps: 0, Capello: Unused.
Could get his chance tonight and a live contender for final defensive spot.
World Cup rating: Waiting for a standby ticket.

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