Don't underestimate: Shunsuke Nakamura, though slight in build, can be devastating on the wing

Caps: 93
Goals: 24
World Cup appearances: 3 (2006)
World Cup 2010 qualification: 11 appearances/3 goals

Club: Espanyol, Spain
Age: 31
Position: Midfielder

Nakamura, a slippery winger, tended to be deployed by Celtic on the right side of midfield, where he could be devastatingly effective. He has become renowned for his vision and touch, as well as being a set-piece specialist.

He can create scoring opportunities for his team-mates but is also able to score himself. Steve Perryman, once of Tottenham and since reborn by a spell managing and coaching in Japan, once argued that Nakamura was so good, he "could open a tin of beans with his left foot".

Slight of build, Nakamura has been criticised for a lack of strength on the ball, and his physical weakness was one of the reason for his omission from Japan's 2002 World Cup squad. However, he has addressed this shortcoming during his three seasons in Italy and in the more physical Scottish Premier League.