Left Back
The please-be-fit
Obviously, Ashley Cole. One of the best left backs in world football, England's chances will be a lot worse without him in the team. Deadly going forward and very good defensively (see: the last game against Portugal), a huge miss for the team. Hopefully he'll recover from his injury in time to make it, although he won't be match fit.
The main pretenders
Ask ten people who they prefer out of Leyton Baines and Stephen Warnock and you'd probably get five votes for each player. There really isn't a lot of difference between the two but on current form I'd have to go for Baines. Baines' Everton are finishing the season with a bang whilst Warnock's Villa are more wheezing like one of those dissapointing fireworks inbetween all the pretty explosions. They are both solid if unspectacular, but I feel Baines offers more going forward and another dead ball specialist is always handy for when we reach the inevitable quarter final penalty shoot out.
The retiree
Wayne Bridge was arguably in his finest form for years when he announced his international retirement. Club bias aside, he would've been my first choice replacement for Cole, although it's very doubtful he will change his mind and make himself available for selection now. One horrific game against Burnley followed by a dressing down by the all powerful Alan Hansen on Match Of The Day has probably tainted the public's opinion on what has been a very solid season for the former Chelsea left back.
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