Wayne Rooney’s Injury Only Adds to England’s Pain

There are only 70 days before the World Cup kicks off in Johannesburg and the last thing England supporters wanted to see was Wayne Rooney hobbling off the field in Munich. While football fans around the world wait with bated breath on news of Rooney‘s injury, it’s worth considering, who on the England team is actually heading into the World Cup healthy and on form?

If we consider Fabio Capello‘s probable starting XI for the opening match against Algeria on June 18th, World Cup glory seems a million miles away for the Three Lions:

Robert Green (GK) – Never before have the Three Lions been represented at the World Cup by a keeper who has just finished the season with a side that got relegated. But that streak looks set to be broken with West Ham‘s Robert Green between the sticks. Need we say more?

Ashley Cole (LB) – Aside from the emotional strain that goes with being dumped by England’s sweetheart Cheryl Cole, Ashley is currently nursing a fractured ankle sustained against Everton in mid-February. It’s a shame really, as Cole was in the form of his life.

Glen Johnson (RB) – The former West Ham youth product has spent the last two-and-a-half months of the campaign carrying a knee injury and has taken time to rediscover his form. Liverpool reportedly splashed out £17 million on Johnno – let’s just hope that was largely based on incentives.

Rio Ferdinand (CB) – Rio’s injury problems this season have placed the newly-appointed England captain under intense scrutiny. And the forecast is cloudy. Ferdinand‘s prolonged back problem have restricted the defender to just 16 appearances for Manchester United this campaign.

John Terry (CB) – Can an England captain have a worse pre-World Cup season? We’ve all read the reports on John Terry and quite frankly he’ll never lose his nerve but he’s certainly lost a bit of game in the last few months.

Steven Gerard (LM) – We thought Stevie G was injured for most of this season but having done a bit of research he’s actually just been cr*p. 6 goals in 26 league matches this term does not scream world class in any pub debate.

Aaron Lennon (RM) – England’s pocket-rocket hasn’t kicked a ball in months after suffering tears in his groin muscles (ouch!) Lennon is targeting a return to Tottenham‘s midfield against Chelsea… only to be squashed by John Terry and Alex.

Frank Lampard (CM) – Another 20-goal season for Lamps makes you think we have a star on our hands? Not so. Lampard‘s goals this term have been, for the most part, against teams fighting relegation. Plus, he plays utterly garbage every time he puts on the England jersey.

Gareth Barry (DM) - Neither injured nor inept. Gareth Barry is quite possibly the one exception, but can a defensive midfielder really carry a team to the World Cup?

Jermain Defoe (ST) – Hamstring problems picked up earlier this month have forced Defoe out of Spurs‘ last three games. Having hit the form of his life earlier this season with 6 goals in 8 matches, Defoe has precious little time to regain that prolificacy.

Wayne Rooney (ST) – With one innocuous challenge at the Allianz Arena, Wayne Rooney‘s injury has suddenly driven a stake through the dreams of both Manchester United and England fans.

Trust the Germans to celebrate England's demise