With the World Cup fast approaching, England manager Roy Hodgson is looking to run the rule over the possible 23-man squad and with plenty of strong contenders of a starting place, here is what England’s starting lineup could and probably should look like in three months’ time.

Defense

Manchester City keeper Joe Hart looks to be the undisputed favorite to start in goal in Brazil. Despite being consigned to the bench at Etihad in first half of the season due to poor form, he has made a great comeback and his recent performances will leave no possibility for doubt as to whether he should stat or not.

The defense looks like a settled case. Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and Everton’s Phil Jagielka should be the preferred pairing in central defense while Liverpool right back Glen Johnson is likely to be preferred over Tottenham’s Kyle Walker who has a poor outing against Ukraine in the playoffs.

The left back position is one that is likely to be a problem to decide. Everton’s Leighton Baines should be the odds on favorite to start but given Hodgson’s continued love for Chelsea’s Ashley Cole, it might not be surprising if Hodgson decides to persist with Cole, which would be unfair to Southampton’s young left back Luke Shaw who should be in the squad ahead of Cole on merit alone.

Midfield

Skipper Steven Gerrard has had a wonderful season for Liverpool in a deeper role and is likely to continue in the same role for the national team as well. However, as has been found out on occasions, Gerrard cannot do the job alone and will require the presence of another holding midfielder in Evertons Gareth Barry or Manchester United’s Michael Carrick to solidify the center of the park.

Both Barry and Carrick have had good outings for their respective clubs and they fully deserve a place in the side. Barry should ideally be the preferred choice due to his tenacity and tackling which will come in handy against some of the bigger teams in the tournament, should England get that far.

As a third midfield option, it’s a toss-up between Southampton’s Adam Lallana and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, both of who provide energy and drive to the side. However, it would be better to start with Lallana as he not only provides a better creative outlet than Henderson but he is also more adept at playing a wider role if needed which is going to lend balance to the side.

Attack

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is having an outstanding season and has managed 18 league goals this season. He is deserving of the role of the central striker and as he showed against Denmark, if given an opportunity to play through the middle, he will get on the score sheet.

Liverpool’s young winger Raheem Sterling provides the wider option in attack and is capable of playing on either wing. He could easily switch wings in attack and that would also provide Lallana an aopportunity to switch flanks when required. He has the pace and trickery require d to get beyond opposition fullbacks.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney is more likely to play in the hole just behind Sturridge. This will best utilize his creative abilities and it will also allow him to make late runs into the box which he has excelled in.