England: Who should start against France?

It has been a winning but unimpressive start for Roy Hodgson as England manager. Two 1-0 victories over Norway and Belgium have hardly put the fear of God into their Euro 2012 opponents but another six results like that will see England wipe away 46 years of hurt and being crowned European champions.

Hodgson's plans have been rocked by injuries to key players. Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard were sure to start against France in their opening fixture and their international careers may now be over, while Gary Cahill's Euro dreams are also over having fracturing his jaw against Belgium. But who will fill their boots and start in the opener against France on June 11?

Here is how I see Hodgson setting his stall out against the French.

Goalkeeper - Joe Hart

One of the easiest decisions to make, the Manchester City shot stopper is phenomenal and could be England's number one for the next two decades. Hart has it all. Agility, bravery, confidence and awareness. He will be England's main man this summer.

Left back - Ashley Cole

The Chelsea defender is widely regarded as one of the best left backs in the world and he is in the prime of his career. Everton's Leighton Baines has kept Cole on his toes but the former Arsenal man is key to Hodgson's plans.

Central defence - John Terry and Joleon Lescott

John Terry may be a horrible human being but you can't argue that he is a top class footballer. He puts his body on the line every time he steps onto the pitch and is a threat in the opposition box. Terry may have lost a yard of pace but his positional sense and heart more than makes up for that. If Cahill had stayed injury free I'm sure Hodgson would have played the Chelsea pairing together. As it is he will have to play either Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka or Phil Jones alongside Terry. Although Jones is one for the future and Jagielka hasn't put a foot wrong for Everton this season, it has to be Lescott. The Manchester City man has grown in stature at the Etihad and he will be buzzing about being a Premier League winner. He has pace, he's assured on the ball and like Terry can be dangerous at the other end. Lescott is liable to the odd momentary slip in concentration, but hopefully he will be tuned in from the first to the last whistle at the Euros.

Right back - Gary Johnson

He may not be the greatest defender in the world and many people, me included, would have opted to take Manchester City's Micah Richards, but Hodgson appears to like the Liverpool defender. He has won 37 caps for England and is the only out and out right back in the squad.

Left midfield - Ashley Young

The Manchester United man may go down quicker than a two-dollar hoe but he could be England's main outlet. Young possesses quick feet, a quick brain and an eye for goal. His pinpoint deliveries will be crucial as England push forward.

Defensive midfielders - Scott Parker and James Milner

Scott Parker has worked his way into the team and become one of the first names on the team sheet. His work-rate is phenomenal and gets the fans on their feet with his all or nothing challenges. I'm sure Hodgson was looking at playing Gareth Barry alongside Parker to give maximum protection to the back four but I think that position may go to Barry's team mate James Milner. The former Newcastle man is like a Duracell bunny. He will run and run and run. Milner will also have the freedom to push on as Parker sits tight.

Right midfield - Theo Walcott

The Arsenal winger polarises opinion. Some believe he is a match winner. Others believe he is just an athlete with football boots. His first touch, control and decision-making can all be questioned, but when he is in full flight Walcott can be devastating. Remember his hat-trick against Croatia? He has it in his locker to be a star. Hodgson will be hoping this will be his tournament.

Attacking midfielder - Steven Gerrard

Hodgson has given his former Liverpool man the captain's armband but will Gerrard finally put in a vintage Liverpool display for his country? Gerrard should be allowed to roam around the final third and be free to unlock the continent's meanest defences. We all know what Gerrard can do. It just remains to be seen whether Hodgson can get the best out of him.

Strikers - Andy Carroll

The Liverpool marksman has struggled to live up to his huge transfer fee but he could be worth double that in July if he shoots England to glory. Carroll struggled for the majority of the season but really found his feet in the final third of the season. On his day Carroll is unplayable. He's tall, strong and quick and knows exactly where the goal is. Manchester United's Danny Welbeck did his cause no harm at all with a splendid finish against Belgium on Saturday, but Carroll should terrify defenders.

Well that's how I think England will line-up against France, but what do you think? Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.