Five England players with a chance to impress

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Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, West Ham, and Sunderland players feature.

A match against San Marino isn’t necessarily going to be the best guide of how a player will perform on the international stage, but with some absentees, there is an opportunity for others to shine.

Kyle Walker – In the eyes of many, Kyle Walker should already be first choice right back for England. An injury kept him out of Euro 2012, but since then Glen Johnson still appears to be top of the pecking order. Walker can still make mistakes, he certainly has an annoying ability to get under the ball from crosses and allow attackers in behind him as a result, but he is a better defender than Johnson, and should get plenty of opportunities to showcase his attacking talent against San Marino.

Michael Carrick – With Lampard withdrawing from the first match with injury, Carrick may get a start in the England midfield. This could create a good chance for England to practice dominating a game with possession in the midfield, something they will need to do in tournament football. Carrick is probably to best suited to this kind of play, and should he control the match on Friday, he can make a case for his inclusion in the future.

Andy Carroll – I thought Carroll was very good in his playing time at Euro 2012, and certainly showed there was more to his game than just receiving long balls. Looking increasingly settled at West Ham, if he can spark into goal-scoring form in whatever time he is given against San Marino, this could be a big season for him for club and country.

Adam Johnson – Back starting matches and back in the England squad, there is a case for saying Johnson is the most talented attacking winger available. Though he won’t track back as much as the others, he is more dangerous in and around the opposition’s penalty area, and will be free from defensive responsibility against San Marino. Hodgson may choose to go for the all-Spurs flank of Walker and Lennon on Friday, but Johnson should get time on the pitch that he needs to make the most of.

Aaron Lennon – With the amount of wingers England have to call on, Lennon has been lucky to be brought back into a squad when he has failed to impress many times for his country. This campaign may end up being his last chance, and with Johnson now breathing down his neck, he will need to finally show his Spurs’ form for his country.