London - Arabstoday
The identity of England\'s next manager is yet to be revealed but that won\'t stop the speculation about who will make the trip to Poland & Ukraine. Adam Bate investigates.It’s that time of year when football fans in 16 different countries around the continent are speculating about who will make their nation’s European Championships squad.For supporters of England – and punters everywhere – predicting their line-up is a particularly tricky business given that nobody yet knows the identity of the man who will be picking the players.For example, if Stuart Pearce is allowed to lead England to Euro 2012 that would surely increase the likelihood of Daniel Sturridge boarding the plane to Poland and Ukraine.Sturridge made his professional debut under Pearce at Manchester City before England’s current caretaker boss handed the player his Under-21 debut for his country and his first full senior international game.The striker is available at 4/5 (1.8) with Sportingbet to be named in the England squad for the European Championship, and considering his impressive season so far, that price could look very tempting at the end of the term.Among the other odds-on candidates available at reasonable prices, Phil Jones stands out as an 8/15 (1.53) pick with Sportingbet.The Manchester United man can operate at right-back, centre-back or in a holding-midfield role and that sort of versatility could be key with limited spots available in the squad.Jones’ United team-mate Danny Welbeck would also appear a safe bet to make the squad, regardless of who the coach is going to be.The youngster has emerged as Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-choice partner for Wayne Rooney ahead of Mexican attacker Javier Hernandez.And yet, Welbeck is likely to be cast instead in the role of Rooney’s replacement for the opening two games of the tournament while England’s talisman serves his suspension.Welbeck is a 4/9 (1.44) shot with Sportingbet to make the squad.Rooney’s suspension may lead to England opting to select as many as five strikers in their squad, and with Darren Bent struggling to be fit by the end of the season, there are few obvious candidates.The common consensus is that a target-man is needed. The source of disagreement is who that man should be.If Harry Redknapp is appointed England boss do not be surprised to see Peter Crouch in the squad. Redknapp has bought the player twice - but sold him three times! Crouch is 6/4 (2.5) with Sportingbet to make the squad.