England vs Ukraine: Who should start?

Ahead of tonight's World Cup Qualifier against Ukraine, I take a look at the attacking options available to Fabio Capello.

Wayne Rooney

Club: Manchester United
Caps: 49
Goals: 21

Considered by many to be the country's most naturally talented player since Paul Gascoigne, Wayne Rooney combines deadly finishing with a real desire to win. His passion has often been to his downfall, however, with disciplinary problems a black mark on an otherwise remarkable start to his international career. After bursting onto the Premier League scene for Everton, Wayne made his first England appearance during a defeat to Australia in 2003. He became England's youngest ever goalscorer that same year when he scored against Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier. He was selected in the squad for that tournament and scored four goals. He suffered a foot injury ahead of the 2006 World Cup and was rushed back into action too soon. He struggled to make any real impact during the tournament and was sent-off against Portugal as England crashed out on penalties. He has since go on to score 10 more goals for his country, featuring consistently under McClaren and now Capello. His performance against Slovakia at the weekend deservedly earned him plaudits and his two goals mark a return to goalscoring form despite playing in a slightly more withdrawn role.


Peter Crouch

Club: Portsmouth
Caps: 32
Caps: 14

The beanpole striker has a good goalscoring record for England, though it has been well-documented that most of these have come against lesser teams. He made his England debut during the tour of the United States in 2005 and scored his first goal against Uruguay prior to the World Cup 2006 for which he was selected. He was in excellent form for England in the build-up to the tournament and netted a hat-trick during a 6-0 win over Jamaica. He was the focal point for England's attacks during their games against Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney and scored during England's second game. He went on to feature in the rest of England's World Cup games. He started Steve McClaren's first game in charge against Greece and scored two goals in a 4-0 win. Two more goals followed against Andorra and he became the first ever player to reach 10 England goals in a single calendar year. He added goals against Macedonia and Estonia to his tally to top England's goalscoring chart for Euro 2008 qualifying with five goals. He has featured regularly under Fabio Capello but has not scored for England since the Italian's appointment.


Gabriel Agbonlahor

Club: Aston Villa
Caps: 2
Goals: 0

The Aston Villa striker is a late call-up to the England squad after the withdrawals of Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent through injury. His electrifying pace causes problems for defenders and has had a decent couple of seasons in the Premier League. He was included in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the Italian's first game against Switzerland but injury forced him to withdraw. He was then an unused substitute for the 3-0 victories over USA and Trinidad and Tobago last year. He made his England debut in November, starting the 2-1 victory over Germany and putting in a good performance. He added to his first cap by playing 75 minutes against Spain in February before making way for Carlton Cole.


Who should start?

England's striking options have been significantly with the withdrawals of Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent. With Michael Owen not match fit and Jermain Defoe out with a foot injury, England will do well to escape tonight's game with a fully fit strikeforce. Gabriel Agbonlahor has been called into the squad despite being in the middle of a very poor run of form that has seen him jeered by Aston Villa fans. Wayne Rooney is a certain starter because he links the midfield and attack brilliantly as well as scoring his own fair share of goals. Peter Crouch should partner him because of his own impressive scoring record for England.


My final starting line-up would be:

James

Johnson Terry Ferdinand A. Cole

Lennon Lampard Gerrard Barry

Crouch Rooney

This line-up balances the attacking and defensive duties well with Barry providing cover for Cole on the left and Lennon providing the width and pace down the right. Lampard and Gerrard should be able to play together against a team like Ukraine whilst Rooney and Crouch have worked well in the past and both have good goalscoring records. The back four is settled now and there doesn't appear to be a definite challenge to David James in goal at this moment in time. The likes of David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Matthew Upson and Gabriel Agbonlahor, among others, are adequate subs but I would like to see the inclusion of few more experienced, quality players in the future. The likes of Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate, Gary Neville, Joe Cole and Michael Owen will all be hoping to attract the attention of the England boss in the near future.