With Golden Balls set to put his feet up with the rest of us this summer, Goal.com's Patrick Reilly ranks 10 stars who missed out on the World Cup through injury...
10) David Beckham (2010)
Barring a miracle England's most capped outfield player will have to be content with 'just' the three World Cup appearances as View more »
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson last night emerged as a shock England World Cup contender.
Fabio Capello is seeking alternatives for the wide positions after losing David Beckham and with increasing doubts over Spurs flier Aaron Lennon.
Capello seems set to stick with Theo Walcott in his squad, despite the Arse View more »
Carlton Cole has spiced up the race for a place among Fabio Capello's World Cup strikers by insisting there is more to his game than just goals.
Sunderland's Darren Bent has hit 23 goals this season while Bobby Zamora has had an outstanding campaign with 19, including six en route to the Europe League semi-finals.
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Bobby Zamora's chances of making England's World Cup squad have received a significant boost with Fabio Capello deciding that he will have the Fulham striker watched in every game until the end of the season.
World Cup gamble: Bobby Zamora has booked his holiday to Las Vegas this summer but he may soon have to chan View more »
Carlo Ancelotti insists Ashley Cole will be fit enough for England after confirming the injured left-back intends to make his first-team return against Stoke later this month.
The England coach had warned Cole he would only pick him if he proved his fitness between now and the end of the season.
The Chelsea left- View more »
Read the latest on injuries affecting Fabio Capello's England players ahead of World Cup 2010.
England coach Fabio Capello is watching eagerly as his players finish the season, hoping for no more damaged metatarsals or tweaked hamstrings.
The sight of Wayne Rooney limping back into Manchester on crutches must have View more »
Steven Gerrard has given himself five years to achieve the two biggest targets of his career.
With his 30th birthday approaching Gerrard has set his sights on winning the World Cup with England and the Premier League title with Liverpool.
Gerrard celebrates the landmark on May 30, the day that England fac View more »
Ashley Cole has been pencilled in to make his Chelsea return next month – six weeks before the start of the World Cup.
The left-back has been out since fracturing his ankle against Everton last month. He spent two weeks in southern France but will step up his rehabilitation programme next week.
Blues boss Car View more »
David Beckham has said he will not retire after the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
It had been suggested the England midfielder would quit after the tournament in June and July, but Beckham, who helped AC Milan to a 4-0 win over Siena on Sunday, insists he will carry on.
“I’ve always said I’ View more »
Alex McLeish believes that Birmingham's on-loan goalkeeper, Joe Hart, must be “a major contender” to be England's No.1 at this summer's World Cup.
Safe hands: Joe Hart's form for Birmingham has pushed him into contention for the England keeper's role
The Birmingham manager claims that Hart is on the way View more »