The Manchester United man was suspended for England's last World Cup qualifier against Ukraine after picking up a careless yellow card against Moldova, and the Three Lions have really missed his cutting edge. The 0-0 draw against Ukraine last month was symptomatic of a total lack of firepower with Theo Walcott, Rickie Lambert and James Milner paired together in a strange 4-3-3 formation. I expect Hodgson to stick with the 4-3-3, however, as it will be improved dramatically with Welbeck being played out wide in a supporting role. Sturridge scored in the 4-0 win over Moldova and has recently been showing signs of promise at Old Trafford, too, netting three times in eight games this season. There will be many England fans glad to see the Mancunian back in the side after the listless performance against Ukraine.
Striker - Wayne Rooney
Another player who will be welcomed back into the side with open arms is Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United man missed both of England's last two World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after sustaining a serious head wound while training for his club. Like Welbeck, Rooney was badly missed by England last month and though the Three Lions were able to get past Moldova without his services, it is games against the likes of Ukraine where you really need him to break down the opposition's defence. England have been accused in the past of relying too heavily on Rooney, but he is their talisman and any national team would struggle without their biggest threat. Montenegro wouldn't be the same without Stevan Jovetic, and England wouldn't, and haven't been the same force without Rooney. Happily, that is about to change.
Striker - Daniel Sturridge
Finally we come to Daniel Sturridge, yet another England striker who sat out the last two World Cup qualifiers with a thigh strain. The in-form Liverpool man has been in imperious form of late, netting six times in seven Premier League appearances for the Reds and getting his international goal-tally off the runway by scoring in the thumping 8-0 win over San Marino back in March. England will be pleased to have their full complement of strikers back in the fore and have looked a shadow of their former selves without Welbeck, Rooney and Sturridge. Hopefully, now that they have returned to full-strength, we will see two vital wins tomorrow and next Tuesday. 4-3-3 Hart, Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick, Welbeck, Rooney, Sturridge Do you agree with our selections? Share your predicted XI in the comment section, below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
Another player who will be welcomed back into the side with open arms is Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United man missed both of England's last two World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine after sustaining a serious head wound while training for his club. Like Welbeck, Rooney was badly missed by England last month and though the Three Lions were able to get past Moldova without his services, it is games against the likes of Ukraine where you really need him to break down the opposition's defence. England have been accused in the past of relying too heavily on Rooney, but he is their talisman and any national team would struggle without their biggest threat. Montenegro wouldn't be the same without Stevan Jovetic, and England wouldn't, and haven't been the same force without Rooney. Happily, that is about to change. 