ENGLAND : PLAYERS TO WATCH

Midfielder David Beckham is overrated and overhyped, but still has plenty of magic left in that skilled right foot of his, whether it is crossing the ball from the right wing into the penalty area or bending one of his patented free kicks past the defensive wall and goalkeeper for a goal. Frank Lampard, the only player to have participated in all 10 qualifiers, is a rock in the midfield, as is Steven Gerrard. Forward Michael Owen is coming back from a broken bone in his foot and is needed at top scoring form (to rebound from a disappointing 2002 World Cup) if England is serious about its title aspirations. Forward Wayne Rooney, 20, is already an impact player although he is a hothead and could get into yellow-card peril if he doesn't sit on his emotions during the heat of the game.

ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur), David James (Manchester City), Robert Green (Norwich City)
Defenders: Gary Neville (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Arsenal), Sol Campbell (Arsenal), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)
Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
On stand-by: Scott Carson (Liverpool), Luke Young (Charlton Athletic), Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur) Andrew Johnson (Crystal Palace).