England manager Roy Hodgson is only months away from announcing the 23 players he will be taking to one of the biggest sporting events in sport, the World Cup.
We take a look at an alternative starting XI, in the traditional English 4-4-2 formation of course, that the England management team could select to help them lift the famous trophy.
Goalkeeper - Nathan Ashmore (Gosport Borough):
The Southern county of Hampshire is home to Fratton Park, familiar to many as home of FA Cup winners Portsmouth Football Club. Pop down the road, though, and you will find local side Gosport Borough.
Just like their neighbours, the Boro’ are struggling to stay in their division and are propping up the Skrill Conference South table. You may be wondering why the first choice goalkeeper of a team bottom of the sixth tier may be in the alternate XI.
Well, Nathan Ashmore has played 29 times this season and has collected 10 clean sheets for the side he joined back in 2011. That’s over one in three games on average. Having the 24-year-old between the sticks at Privett Park has meant the club have conceded a total of just 31 goals so far this campaign, placing them 11th in the goals conceded table.
Attracting attention from professional clubs such as Championship team Bournemouth, Ashmore has the potential to rise up the divisions in the coming years.
Right Back - Kieran Trippier (Burnley):
One of the highest rated players outside of the top flight, Trippier stars for promotion chasing Burnley in the SkyBet Championship. The former Manchester City defender has twelve assists to his name in all competitions, already matching the amount he got in the last campaign.
His delivery is second to none, he’s quick and is built like a ‘proper’ athlete. Arsenal were scouting the 23-year-old in January as a possible replacement for long serving full-back Bacary Sagna.
They may be put off by the £6m price tag the Clarets have slapped on the right-back but England won’t have to worry about that problem.
The former U-21 international could slot in nicely on the right of England’s back four after doubts have been asserted over Glen Johnson.
Centre Back - Josh Coulson (Cambridge United):
Cambridge United’s longest serving player at the club right now, Coulson plays in the centre of The U’s ever impressive defense.
The side have just conceded just 19 league goals in the 2013/14 campaign, the lowest in English football this season, and that is mostly down to the consistent performances of the Englishman.
Known for his physical presence, the 6’3’’ defender has been ever present for United, who are now second in the Conference but look unlikely to catch leaders Luton.
Of the 24 clean sheets they have collected this season, Coulson has been a part of 16 - proving himself vital to their successes this season.
His record is something England will need come June with the national team shutting out just five teams in their last 12, usually against inferior opposition such as San Marino and Moldova.
Centre Back - Sylvain Distin (Everton)
A FIFA rule change back in 2010 stated that you must be eligible to play for your adopted country before a call up to the youth team ruled Mikel Arteta out of contention for an England cap. One who has not been affected by this is Everton centre-half Sylvain Distin.
The Frenchmen holds the record for the most outfield appearances by a foreign player in the Premier League attaining just over 400 for Newcastle, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Everton.
The robust 36-year-old is eligible to play for England because he has lived in the country for 13 straight years and hasn’t been called up to the French squad at any level.
Distin has struck up a more than solid partnership with fellow Toffees defender Phil Jagielka, who is more than likely to be in the 23-man squad. He also thrives individually and was Everton’s Player of the Season back in 2012, as voted by the fans.
He has played at Wembley before at club level but whether he will sing “God save the Queen” next time around is up in the air.
Left Back - Sean Newton (Lincoln City)
Left-back is most definitely the strongest position the England squad have got. Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw are all vying for a place in Hodgson’s plans this summer.
Baines, barring an injury, will be jetting off to South America at the end of the season but there are doubts over Ashley Cole and Saints starlet Luke Shaw. Cole is not playing regularly with Chelsea while Shaw lacks tournament experience, not ideal and if these two pick up a knock a few weeks before the 14th June then who can we call upon? The out of favour Kieran Gibbs? No chance. Step up, Sean Newton.
The 25-year-old Lincoln City defender joined up from Stockport in last year’s summer transfer window and hasn’t disappointed. Joint second in the Conference assists table, Newton already has set up 11 goals.
His 11 is seven more than Cole, Shaw and Baines combined. Comfortable with a dead ball, Newton says he wants to add to the only goal he has scored this campaign stating he “Normally get’s five or six”.
Right Mid - David Bentley (No club)
Already aware of the pressures of international football, the former Tottenham and Arsenal midfielder is surely in contention for a seat on the plane.
Heralded as ‘The next David Beckham’ when he started his football career, Bentley has clearly shown he has what it takes and has won seven England caps so far, four more than Chelsea legend Bobby Tambling.
The 29-year-old has an excellent right foot and is a dead ball specialist, scoring the first ever goal at the new Wembley from a free-kick for the U-21’s.
David is without a club at the moment after being released by Spurs in the summer of 2013, meaning that unlike most he will be fresh and raring to go this summer. Experienced at top level, the ex-Blackburn man will certainly bring something to the squad.
Midfielder & Captain - Ged Murphy (Droylsden)
An ideal captain for any side, Ged Murphy is perfect for the central midfield role. The 35-year-old has bags full of experience which is vital when it comes to major tournaments.
He has displayed captain credentials this season by joining up with the Manchester club in a coach/player role, showing he can organise a team on the pitch. His side are propping up the seventh tier of English football and have already been relegated from the Evo-Stik Premier with nine games to go.
Picking up just three points all season, all of which have come from draws, they have shipped 141 goals. The FA have appointed psychiatrist Steve Peters to help improve the mental strength of the players but Dr. Peters will hardly have to work on veteran Murphy.
Missing a penalty for England at the World Cup will be a kind release of playing for Droylsden week in, week out.
Centre Midfielder - John Swift (Chelsea)
Budded as the next Frank Lampard, John Swift certainly has a lot to live up to.
Born in Portsmouth, Swift joined the Chelsea ranks at the age of 14 and has lived in London ever since. The hard-working, box-to-box central midfielder has blossomed this season scoring six times and assisting three in the U21 Premier League.
He has also enhanced his reputation in Europe, albeit in the UEFA Youth League, recording five goals and a further three assists in just six starts.
Swift adds to The Blues’ host of exciting English prospects to have been capped for the country at youth level after making his first appearance for the U19’s in 2013.
He’ll be looking to push on and gain a place in the Chelsea first team in the coming years, a difficult feat to achieve with Mourinho never really allowing young stars a chance. It could happen in the early rounds of the FA or League Cup next season but with Oscar and possibly even Ramires ahead of him in the pecking order, England might be an easier option for him!
Left Mid - Erun Oztumer (Dulwich Hamlet)
Scouted for Arsenal and West Ham amongst others at the age of five, the Englishmen of Turkish descent is currently playing for Dulwich Hamlet in the Ryman Isthmian Premier division. Let go from Charlton due to his height, currently standing at 5’3, the 22-year-old has scored 31 goals in 43 games this season. Of these 31 goals, a total of 13 were from the penalty spot.
A great passer of the ball, Erun has over 90% pass accuracy and is able to cut inside. He never stays in one position making it tricky even for the best defenders. His pace and brilliantly low centre of gravity has caught the eye of some big clubs including Burnley with the player's brother posting on Twitter earlier today that his sibling is undergoing a trial at Championship outfit.
Striker - Ross Allen (Guernsey FC)
It’s not everyday you see someone of his caliber applying their trade in the Ryman Isthmian South division but that is exactly where Ross Allen plays.
Scoring four goals this Saturday against Three Bridges boosted his tally to an impressive 47 in 34 games this season, almost asserting his teams Play-Off place.
Not only has he got 18 goals more than Lionel Messi this campaign but he also has netted 29 times more than the top English goalscorer in the Premier League, Daniel Sturridge. His strength, pace and desire to drive towards goal has drawn attention from numerous professional clubs.
Striker - Joe Lolley (Huddersfield Town)
£300,000 seems a hefty price tag for a non-league player but that is exactly the amount Huddersfield Town paid to acquire the services of Joe Lolley.
The 21-year-old forward has risen through the divisions of English football, making his name at 10th tier Littleton whilst studying at university. Racking up 88 goals in just 83 outings during his two year stint at the Midlands side.
This feat was recognised by Kidderminster Harriers of the Conference Premier and the striker, who can also play right wing, didn’t hesitate to join the ranks.
Although his stay with the Carpet Men was short lived, his impression will be long lasting. He scored a total of 11 goals in the 25 appearances he made for them with his pace, quick feet and finishing ability making Lolley one of the most feared players in the division. In the FA Cup, he knocked out Peterborough in his last game for the club.
A big money move to The Terriers this January cemented the heroic rise through English football, a rise that could be compared to Southampton’s Rickie Lambert and we all know what happened to him.