Comment: Who can fill Beckham's boots?
Kelvin Leong names his list of five wingers who can take David Beckham's place in South Africa.
Golden Balls has not been given a starting berth for Fabio Capello's mighty Three Lions in recent matches but was still a formidable presence to have coming off the bench.
With his possible career-ending injury while playing for AC Milan at the weekend against Chievo, Beckham's misery opens up an empty slot which could see a tussle between these few men who have the potential to be Capello's able substutite on the bench.
Aaron Lennon - Tottenham Hotspur
The former Leeds United prodigy blossomed into a terrifying right winger this season under the tutelage of Harry Redknapp at Spurs.
His biggest shortcoming was his final ball into the box but Lennon seems to have addressed it this season with Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch happily gobbling up his assists.
However, having not played for Spurs in the last month or so due to an injury, it will take a lot of coaxing for the England manager to put him on the flight to South Africa.
Adam Johnson - Manchester City
Johnson's move to the Eastlands from Middlesbrough was supposed to give him an outside chance of making it into Capello's final squad for the World Cup but the flying winger has been used sparingly by Roberto Mancini.
When given some minutes, Johnson has showed great enthusiasm with his signature rampage down the left wing with Wayne Bridge in support.
One has to remember that he was Boro's star player earlier in the season before he decided to make the big move to join up with the likes of Gareth Barry and Bridge in Manchester.
A rough gem indeed but everyone can see that Johnson has the potential to be spring a surprise on his more illustrious England mates.
Milner's career has been built on the fact that his versatility makes him a great asset to have on any team and Capello has recognised that by giving the former Leeds United youngster a glimpse of what senior life is like in the past two games.
He may not have the same pinpoint accuracy on the crosses but his dynamism and willingness to chase down loose balls makes him an able replacement for Beckham.
His place in the team is more or less a certainty but his biggest asset being his versatility could also prove to be his biggest obstacle in securing a starting berth.
Tom Huddlestone - Tottenham Hotspur
The young cub has made the big step up into the bright lights of the Premiership with some barnstorming performances in midfield for Spurs this season.
Blessed with a great repertoire of passing abilities, Huddlestone can string the passes together while also providing a gigantic presence in midfield.
Huddlestone has yet to earn his spurs with the senior team but if he continues to show the great form he is in for the rest of the season, Capello could be tempted to take him along as a bit-part player.
Jack Wilshere - Bolton and Arsenal
This 18-year-old will be an England regular in the next decade.
With Beckham having to sit out of the tournament, the Three Lions will miss the never-say-die attitude which the former Real Madrid man brings to the team.
Up steps Wilshere who has the ability to strike the ball with deadly efficiency and looks to be in the same mould as ginger-haired Paul Scholes.
A Jack of all trades, pun intended, Wilshere is a box-to-box player who loves to burst into the box like Scholesy does while also handling his fair share of defensive duties.
One thing is for sure, this boy can tackle better than Scholes!
With only less than three months to the international showpiece, Capello must be buzzing with excitement as to who will take the place of the man who was on his way to making his fourth appearance for England at a World Cup.
Capello's probable squad
Goalkeepers - David James, Robert Green and Joe Hart
Defenders - John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Joleon Lescott, Mathew Upson, Glen Johnson, Leighton Baines, Ashley Cole
Midfielders - Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Aaron Lennon, Ashley Young, James Milner, Gareth Barry, Shaun Wright-Phillips
Strikers - Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Carlton Cole, Emile Heskey
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