Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Top 50 English players who should be on Fabio Capello's radar
The World Cup is less than four months away - and Fabio Capello has some difficult decisions to make. [LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is the best English player in the world today? There's a World Cup coming, time to look lively. Sportsmail's latest edition of The List celebrates the 50 best English footballers in the world today. Who should be in Fabio Capello's sights? Tell us the rising stars, the established stars not pulling their weight, and those you'd like to see return from international retirement. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Next week he will send out a team to face Egypt in what will be England's last friendly before he names the provisional squad for South Africa 2010.[LNB]Who's in his thoughts? Is there a man to fill Ashley Cole's boots if the Chelsea man doesn't recover in time? Which of his imperfect goalkeepers will get the nod between the sticks?[LNB]Sportsmail try to help out the Italian by revealing the top 50 English players of the here and now. Long-term injured stars such as Owen Hargreaves misses out, because, for example, it seems unlikely he can recover form and fitness in time for Manchester United.[LNB]But we highlight some uncapped starlets that Capello should gamble on, pick out the retired stars who should be leaned on to reconsider and reveal those regulars who justify their place in the squad.[LNB]As ever, we countdown with 10 per day, unveiling our No 1 on Friday, and you can join in the debate.[LNB]Read numbers 50-41 HERE.[LNB]40 Gary Cahill (Bolton)It's a real shame for Cahill that his injury has come just at the moment where his great form for Bolton was edging him closer to a start for England.[LNB]This had been Cahill's breakthrough season but it came to a juddering halt after the centre-back was sidelined with a blood clot in his left arm.[LNB]Initial diagnosis was that he would miss the rest of the season but there is now hope for him to make a return to the Bolton side before the end of the season. He could yet win a place with a short burst of games in April and May. [LNB] Up for it: But Gary Cahill's injury leaves Matthew Upson (right) in the box seat[LNB]39 Matthew Upson (West Ham)Has seen some tough times over the past couple of years at Upton Park which makes his continued good form all the more impressive.[LNB]The club have resisted several approaches for the imposing centre-back, including offers from Fiorentina, Tottenham and Manchester United.[LNB]But the Hammers improving form under the new regime has convinced him to stay and he has remained a regular with England, featuring in 10 of the last 11 squads[LNB]38 David Bentley (Tottenham)Only a matter of weeks ago, the thought of Bentley being one of the best English players in the country would have seemed impossible. He couldn't even get a game for Spurs.[LNB]But the Tottenham winger is now enjoying an upturn in fortunes due to Aaron Lennon's continuing injuries. And performances like the one against Leeds away in the FA Cup have breathed life into a career which was faltering badly.[LNB]Will his current run in the side come to an end when Lennon returns from injury? Probably. And will that hasten his departure in the summer? Certainly.[LNB] Super Spurs: David Bentley (left) and Tom Huddlestone are in fine form[LNB]37 Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham)He has come into his own at White Hart Lane after a few years of being considered talented yet overweight and bit of a luxury.[LNB]The new slimline Huddlestone has become the Spurs' engine room: calm and controlled, he can pass, shoot and isn't scared of putting a challenge in.[LNB]An adaptable and highly capable player who is just as happy in the deeper roles as he is in the thick of the midfield action, Capello gave him his first senior England cap in the defeat to Brazil in November last year.[LNB]36 Michael Carrick (Manchester United)Altogether one of the most talented midfielders England has ever produced but, surprisingly, he has never established a starting berth of his own with England.[LNB]The problem for Carrick is the level of competition in his position. Capello has discovered the formula to get Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard playing well together and that leaves little room for others in the centre of midfield.[LNB]A consistent performer who would definitely not be out of place at this summer's tournament.[LNB] Outsiders: Michael Carrick (left) and Lee Bowyer are consistent at club level[LNB]35 Lee Bowyer (Birmingham)Bowyer has enjoyed a remarkable turn-around in fortunes of late. The one-time bad-boy of English football has been in sparkling form for Birmingham this season and, for much of it, their top scorer. [LNB]Benefiting from Alex McLeish's insistence on playing the same team as often as possible, Bowyer has missed just two games all season.[LNB]Sven Goran Eriksson gave him his only England cap, in a friendly against Portugal in 2002, can continued good form win him his second under Capello?[LNB]34 Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)A season blighted by injury and suspensions took an unexpected twist last month when John Terry was removed as England captain.[LNB]Fabio Capello is expected to elevate Ferdinand to the job, although the former West Ham star cannot be entirely certain he will become skipper until they meet in the build up to the friendly clash with Egypt.[LNB] One in one out: Rio Ferdinand (left) is new England skipper but Jamie Carragher quit international football three years[LNB]33 Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)Liverpool's vice-captain has been fighting a rear-guard action all season as his club lurch from one crisis to another.[LNB]But for all the problems the club have faced, Carragher remains a consistent performer. [LNB]He retired from the national side in 2007 and several attempts to lure him back have failed. Could the lure of a place at the World Cup make him change his mind?[LNB]32 Leighton Baines (Everton)Ashley Cole's loss could be Baines' gain. The 25-year-old twice featured in Fabio Capello's squad last year, and he could force his way into the reckoning following fine form for his club and injury to first-choice Cole.[LNB]It would also be an easy way of solving the John Terry/Wayne Bridge dilemma. He's a better player than fellow left-back Bridge, in better form, and, crucially, is free from infidelity baggage.[LNB]If he keeps his place in the run in for Everton, Baines is thoroughly worth a place on the plane to South Africa.[LNB] Solid in defence: Leighton Baines (left) and Loleon Lescott deserve a chance[LNB]31 Joleon Lescott (Manchester City)Lescott initially struggled after his £22m move from Everton last summer. But he has been on the comeback trail recently after missing a dozen games earlier this season due to knee surgery. [LNB]Despite his time out, Lescott has returned strongly and was in fine form during the stalemate with Liverpool. 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