[30stone]

AS the nation mourns yet another dismal World Cup campaign, thoughts have turned to how the FA can address the problem of England's aging squad.
The Three Lions' so-called 'Golden Generation' is over, with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David James all the wrong side of 30.

Of the XI who started yesterday's German horror show, only Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, James Milner and Glen Johnson look certain to be involved in the 2014 finals in Brazil.

In contrast, Joachim Low's young side seem certain to contest major championships for years to come.

FOUR of the players who started in Bloemfontein were involved in the 4-0 drubbing of England in last summer's European Under-21 Championships final.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, right-back Jerome Boateng, midfielders Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil all look set to have flourishing international careers.

And with England's qualification campaign for Euro 2012 starting in September, new ideas and fresh blood are needed to restore the country's pride — so why not follow the Germans' lead and promote youth?

Here, SunSport looks at the players England might be able to build a future around.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz0sDwHOwDt





JOE HART (Manchester City)

Will have benefited from the experience of being in the squad in South Africa and looks likely to be England's No1 for many years to come — barring a dramatic loss of form.

But the 23-year-old needs regular first-team football and will have to leave Manchester City if he can't displace Shay Given.




PHIL JONES (Blackburn)

Emerged from nowhere at the back end of last season and Sam Allardyce has high hopes for the young central defender.

Expect the 18-year-old to be pushing for full honours by 2012.



KIERAN GIBBS (Arsenal)

Now recovered from an injury that prevented him from mounting a bid for a World Cup spot.

Gibbs, 20, has plenty to learn his raw ability will push Gael Clich hard for Arsenal's left-back spot next term.



GARY CAHILL (Bolton)

A consistent performer for Bolton last season, Cahill, 24, has emerged as one of the Premier League's top defenders.

His performances have seen him linked with Arsenal and Manchester United and he earned his first England call-up for the game against Kazakhstan in June 2009 following the withdrawal of Rio Ferdinand.

Certain to be in with a chance of making the squad for England's opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria on September 3.



CHRIS SMALLING (Manchester United)

Despite making just 15 appearances for Fulham last season, Red Devils boss Alex Ferguson saw enough in his ability to pay a whopping £12million for his services.

Earmarked as Rio Ferdinand's long-term replacement at Old Trafford, Smalling could eventually succeed the England captain at international level too.



MICAH RICHARDS (Manchester City)

If Richards can rediscover the form which saw him named City's Young Player of the Year in 2006, a return to the international scene will not be far off.

On his day, the 22-year-old is one of the finest defenders England can call upon but lapses in concentration and inconsistent form have hampered his progress.



JACK RODWELL (Everton)

Another emerging talent from the Goodison Park production line and impressed on Premier League duty last term.

It might still be a bit early for 19-year-old Rodwell to step in, but given the lack of options in midfield he could come into contention during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.



ASHLEY YOUNG (Aston Villa)

The 24-year-old winger has flourished under Martin O'Neill since moving to Villa in a club record £9.75million move from Watford two years ago.

Would provide England with genuine pace and guile on the flanks and his goals-to-games ratio is superior to that of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon



JACK WILSHERE (Arsenal)

The 18-year-old midfielder is considered the crown jewel among the Gunners' new breed of talent emerging from the ranks.

A loan spell at Bolton last season gave him his first regular taste of top-flight football and he is expected to push on into Arsenal's first-team plans next term.

With the future of Cesc Fabregas still in question, Wilshere could find himself thrown into the deep end if the inspirational Spaniard decides to move on.


ADAM JOHNSON (Manchester City)

Unlucky to miss out on a place in Capello's 23-man squad considering he kept Shaun Wright-Phillips out of the Manchester City line-up towards the end of last season.

Naturally left footed and comfortable on the right, the 22-year-old is almost certain to be involved against Hungary.


THEO WALCOTT (Arsenal)

The 21-year-old was dumped by Fabio Capello after not listening to orders.

Needs to have spent the summer thinking about that rather than smirking at the Three Lions' plight.

England do not have many players capable of scoring a hat-trick against Croatia and Walcott needs to be welcomed back into the fold.


GABRIEL AGBONLAHOR (Aston Villa)

Started the friendly win over Germany in November 2007, but his international has stalled slightly since.

However, the Villa ace is the best of the early- to mid-20s strikers and needs to be given a chance.


ANDY CARROLL (Newcastle Utd)

Gateshead-born starlet who made a big impression at St James' Park last term as the Magpies returned to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Court case later this year after a nightclub altercation may prevent an early call-up but the 21-year-old striker is one for the future.



Obviously there is a lot of other players who have yet to be mentioned..

[Shaun]

madness in retrospect that we didn't take Walcott.

[30stone]

Of course it is, a lot of people said that after the second game..

He scored 3 goals against a top 15 ranked team (fifa world rankings) at age 19 ??

Yes hes often poor, but he would make a difference, SWP and Lennon were shocking at best!

[King Gizzard]

Agbonlahor is ****e get that into your head ben lol