Team news
England vs Ireland represents Ashley Cole’s 102nd game for the Three Lions. However, it will offer him the opportunity to celebrate his 100th England national team cap by assuming captaincy throughout the game. Such is the decision of coach Roy Hodgson who affirmed that Ashley Cole’s Chelsea mate, Frank Lampard, was happy to lend the armband.
Daniel Sturridge has been a success at Liverpool with 10 goals in 14 appearances. Now that the season is over and that Roy Hodgson has several absences to deal with, the 23-year-old striker is set to receive a First XI spot at Wembley.
Other young players expected to play a big role on Wednesday are Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck and Arsenal’s Oxlade-Chamberlain. England may opt to play a 4-3-3 formation with Michael Carrick, Jack Rodwell and James Milner all vying for a spot alongside veteran midfielder Frank Lampard.
Like Roy Hodgson, Giovanni Trapattoni will not have access to his strongest possible squad. This is the result of injuries to Kevin Doyle, Anthony Pilkington and Ciaran Clark. The good news for the Republic of Ireland, however, is that iconic figure Robbie Keane should be available.
The former Tottenham Hotspur talisman is fresh from clinching a hat-trick in Los Angeles Galaxy’s 4-0 victory over Seattle Sounders on Monday. Meanwhile, Stephen Quinn has been called up following the withdrawal of Paul Green.
England squad
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Alex McCarthy
Defenders: Ashley Cole, Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones, Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker, Joleon Lescott
Midfielders: James Milner, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Jack Rodwell, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge
Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers: Keiren Westwood, David Forde, Darren Randolph
Defenders: Sean St Ledger, Richard Keogh, John O’Shea, Damien Delaney, Seamus Coleman, Marc Wilson, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Darren O’Dea
Midfielders: Stephen Quinn, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick, James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady, Robbie Brady, James McClean, Andy Keogh, David Meyler
Forward: Connor Sammon, Robbie Keane, Jon Walters, Shane Long, Wes Hoolahan, Simon Cox
Prediction
The Three Lions have crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine in September before facing Montenegro and Poland in October. The friendly match at home to the Republic of Ireland may not produce high quality football considering the multiple absences in both squads.
Roy Hodgson sent out a letter to ask fans to behave despite the intense rivalry that exists between the two countries. Avoiding crowd violence will be the best possible result at Wembley on Wednesday whereas the English will likely come on top of the Irish.
Result: England 2-1 Ireland Republic
