The central of midfield of England has been a topic of much debate over recent years. The tedious discussion over whether Gerrard and Lampard could play together has been put to bed by Capello as he has found a place for Gerrard on the left of the midfield four. But what of the other contenders for a central midfield berth in South Africa?

Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Frank Lampard is one of the best attacking midfielders around; he has scored a minimum of 20 goals a season for the last five years and is one of England’s key players. He has struggled slightly this year with the change of formation at Chelsea but is beginning to adapt to the new strategy and find his form. If he is fit, he is one of the first names on the team-sheet.

Gareth Barry (Manchester City)

For England and Manchester City, Barry has recently found a new role as a holding midfielder. For Aston Villa he was a more creative force and while he is still capable of breaking forward, his primary responsibilities are now defensive. Barry has started this season slowly; he has yet to reach the high standards we have come to expect from him. Nevertheless, he is one of the best passers of the ball in the England team and his responsible attitude to the defensie side of the game has seen him develop a strong understanding with Lampard. Barry can expect to be in the starting line-up for England’s first game in South Africa.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Gerrard will go to South Africa to play as a left-sided midfielder; in this position he is given license to roam and link up with Rooney. However, his natural position is central midfield, and so if Lampard is injured or suspended, it will be Gerrard that fills that central midfield role.

Michael Carrick (Manchester United)

Carrick started this season poorly, but is starting to find form again. A solid passer of the ball, he is competing with club-mate Hargreaves for one place in the squad. He is not as good defensively as either Barry or Hargreaves, but given the latters’ injury problems Carrick is at present likely to make the squad as Barry’s understudy.

Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United)

Hargreaves’ injury problems are well documented; he hasn’t played in over a year. However, he was England’s best player at the last World Cup and should he regain fitness, he will be a contender. Hargreaves would provide energy and drive to the midfield; he can also play right-midfield and right-back. This versatility means that if Hargreaves is chosen there would be room for a fifth striker. It may be asking too much for a player who has been out for so long to return to international duty so soon. But if Hargreaves does recover from his injuries and starts to play well for United, he could make a late bid for a spot on the plane.

Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham)

Jermaine Jenas came under come pretty strong criticism for his performance against Brazil, but a lot of it was quite harsh. England did not have a lot of possession in that game so it was always going to be difficult for him. He actually did a lot of good work defensively, tracking back with Kaka, and he showed good energy levels in difficult conditions. There is not a lot of guile to his play, but he has pace, power and a burst of energy that could be useful as a substitute. We do not yet know what Capello made of his performance, but if he is chosen in the squad for the next friendly, a lot of people would be surprised.

Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham)

The surprise call-up of the last squad, Huddlestone provides something different to the other contenders. His passing range is superb, and is one of the best strikers of the ball in the country. He has been criticised for his lack of mobility, and his inexperience at this level makes him an unlikely inclusion in the final group. But Capello has clearly been impressed with the Spurs midfielder, and if there are more injury problems in this area, Huddlestone could well take advantage.

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