England's defenders By Terry Butcher England centre-back 1980-90

Any good defence needs leaders, people you can count on in the big games when you need to keep things tight.

England have leaders in abundance in the form of Gary Neville, Sol Campbell and John Terry.

They also have proven experience in the likes of Ashley Cole, Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand.

The defence is a major strength of this side - they have known and played with each other at the highest level for a long time.

There is good variety and depth in each position - there are several world-class defenders and some good cover behind them.

You must have winners and inspirational figures and Sven-Goran Eriksson is fortunate to have a defence incorporating all of these qualities.

Born: 18/02/75 Position: Right-back England caps: 79 England goals: 0 Club: Manchester United

Neville is a big personality, hugely experienced and a leader who flourishes on the big occasion.

He is very reliable defensively, but is also an asset in attack, with a dangerous long throw and an ability to get forward and put crosses in.

He is a tremendous professional and a total winner.

There is no substitute for experience and Gary has got bags of it - that will be crucial in those big, high-profile games.

He has seen it all and done it all and will be a vital element in England's World Cup challenge.

Born: 20/12/80 Position: Left-back England caps: 46 England goals: 0 Club: Arsenal

Cole has been dogged by injuries this season, which has proved to be a real nightmare.

But he will be the undisputed first choice at left-back if he proves his fitness, having made the position his own.

He is another with huge international experience and was absolutely outstanding at Euro 2004.

Cole is a quick, sharp player who is excellent going forward and a very reliable defender.

He has a fierce desire to do well, is very comfortable on the ball and is a good passer which is a real asset.

One overlooked quality is his improved ability in the air. This can be a weakness in a small defender, but he has worked hard at it.

Born: 07/11/78 Position: Centre-back England caps: 47 England goals: 1 Club: Manchester United

Rio was absent from Euro 2004 after missing a drugs test, but was outstanding in Japan in 2002 and will want to make his mark on the ultimate stage again.

He's got the lot and technically he's probably even better than John Terry, although in passion and heart Terry maybe has the slight edge.

Ferdinand is so comfortable on the ball and in possession he provides a vital link between the back four and midfield, as well as being very strong in the air.

The only problem for Rio is that sometimes he is too comfortable, it is almost too easy for him and his concentration levels do not match someone like Terry.

But he is very comfortable at international level and has all the tools a top defender needs at his disposal.

He will be extra-keen to show what he is made of after missing out in Portugal.

Born: 07/12/80 Position: Centre-back England caps: 24 England goals: 1 Club: Chelsea

John is a leader and what some people call an "old school" centre-half, but this does not do justice to the force of his ability and personality.

He has had a fantastic two years, captaining Chelsea to two titles.

Terry is "Mr Reliable" for England, breaking up the established partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell to make himself the undisputed first choice.

John has grown in stature and confidence and he is a born winner. He has got great honesty and I really admire the way he goes about his business.

He's thorough, determined, tough and shows a lot of steel in his approach - the sort of person you would be happy to have alongside you in the trenches.

Born: 18/09/74 Position: Centre-back England caps: 68 England goals: 1 Club: Arsenal

I am a big admirer of Sol Campbell - he leads from the front and has a very steely determination and experience.

Sol has had problems of his own to contend with this season, but he has come through them and is starting to look back to his solid best.

He is going into his sixth major tournament with England, which is testimony to his professionalism, attitude and ability.

Sol is in the John Terry mould of a no-nonsense defender.

Ferdinand and Terry will be the first-choice partnership, but I would have no worries whatsoever if Sol came in.

Those two will know Sol will not go to Germany content to be sitting on the bench - he will be after a place in the starting line-up.

Born: 28/01/78 Position: Centre-back England caps: 25 England goals: 0 Club: Liverpool

If you are asking for someone to provide that crucial quality of reliability, you will never find a more reliable personality than Jamie Carragher.

He has had two outstanding seasons with Liverpool and has proved his ability to fill every position in the back four for club and country - he is the heartbeat of a football team.

You have to have characters and leaders when your back is up against the wall and Jamie is the personification of that.

England are well-blessed in central defence, but Carragher's versatility means he could end up playing a vital role at the World Cup.

And one thing is for sure: he will not let England down.

Born: 05/08/80 Position: Left-back England caps: 23 England goals: 1 Club: Chelsea

Bridge has suffered a lot through injury in recent seasons, but has always done well for England.

He is quick, gets forward well and provides good balance down the left side.

He is good in possession, provides dangerous crosses and is a stronger player than he looks.

Bridge struggled for football at Chelsea, but has proven with Fulham that he still has the qualities Eriksson clearly appreciates.

With Cole struggling with injuries this season, Bridge provides a ready-made replacement if he is called upon.