England's strikers By Alan Shearer England centre-forward 1992-2000

Everything hinges around Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney - if those two are fit we have a fantastic chance of winning the World Cup.

If both are unable to play to the best of their ability then it is going to be very difficult for England - you need your top strikers at major tournaments.

No offence to the rest of the England forwards but we are not the same team if they are not playing - they are very special players.

Bearing in mind the problems Owen and Rooney have had it was slightly surprising to see Sven-Goran Eriksson deciding to go with just four strikers.

Some would argue that a fifth striker would have given us that extra cover, but with Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole both able to play just off the forward he must think he has enough options.

I know Owen will score goals if he gets chances and we are all praying that Rooney will play a part in the tournament.

Born: 14/12/79 Position: Striker England caps: 77 England goals: 36 Club: Newcastle

Obviously I know Michael very well having played alongside him for England and with Newcastle this season.

He's a great goalscorer and if you give him chances at any level, whether it is for club or country, he will score goals.

Michael is very confident he is over his injury so he will certainly be going to the World Cup fresh and that can only be a good thing for England.

He is extremely confident and happy with the way things are going.

He is looking forward to the World Cup and getting back to playing football and doing what he does best - scoring goals.

Born: 24/10/85 Position: Striker England caps: 29 England goals: 11 Club: Manchester United

I hope he is able to play some part because when he is fit he is certainly one of the best three players in the world - there is no doubt in my mind.

He has got great ability, seems to have been around for a long time now and he can handle the big stage - in fact he thrives on it.

It is just a matter of everyone keeping their fingers crossed and hoping he is going to be there.

I think we can win it without him but it will not be easy. Any team with Rooney in the side will be a better team.

I think Eriksson is right to gamble on his fitness.

In my mind there is no doubt, even if he can only play in the knockout stages of the tournament then you have to take him - he is that good.

Born: 01/01/81 Position: Striker England caps: 7 England goals: 5 Club: Liverpool

Crouch is the sort of player defenders do not like to play against - he is a real handful.

There are not many international defenders who will have played against a player like him.

If you give him the right service he adds another dimension for the England forward line.

The England wide men will know that, without picking their heads up, if they get the ball in the box they have someone who is likely to get on the end of it.

He is a threat and hard to handle, particularly if he is coming on as a substitute in the last 20 minutes.

If Owen and Rooney are fit for the final stages then his involvement will be in coming off the bench as a super sub.

But for the group stages, he obviously he has a much better chance of starting.

Born: 16/03/89 Position: Striker England caps: 1 England goals: 0 Club: Arsenal

Walcott's selection was a big surprise and I must admit I have not seen anything of him other than with Southampton in the Championship.

He is clearly a huge talent but going from the Championship to the Premier League is a different level.

And going from the Premiership to international level is another big jump.

He has obviously had a tremendous report from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and he has not been wrong too many times.

To pick someone who has not even played in the Premiership is a big gamble for Eriksson to make but hopefully it will pay off.

It is great for Walcott and his family and I hope he does well and enjoys it.

And I am sure it will be a great experience whether he plays any part or not.