Wide-eyed: Stuart Pearce scored England's third spot kick in a 4-2 penalty victory over Spain

There are big decisions all round. Does Michael Mancienne, a £4m purchase by Hamburg this summer from Chelsea, keep the captain’s armband or will he drop out of the team altogether.

He can play in three positions but is competing against Tottenham’s Kyle Walker, sensational on loan at Aston Villa last season, for the right back position, Smalling and Jones — the future Manchester United central defensive pairing — in the heart of defence, and Rodwell in central midfield.

Some big names are bound to be left out, with United’s Tom Cleverley, Tottenham’s Danny Rose, Swansea winger Scott Sinclair and Marc Albrighton, of Villa, all competing for one place.

Even Daniel Sturridge, eight Premier League goals in 11 appearances for Bolton last season, is not assured of a place.

‘There will be disappointed people,’ said Pearce. ‘But I have told them we can’t do it individually or as a team of XI. We have to do it as a squad and the boys outside the team will support the ones in it. When people say what is the benefit of tournament football, it is to be unselfish.’

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