Whilst England have comfortably qualified for the finals in France, it is not clear through both form, fitness and formation who will be leading the line for the team in France.
The actual number of viable options is quite small, and two names in the probable are more known as wide players:
Wayne Rooney
His overall record demands inclusion, his tournament performance bar 2004 have been at best below par, he will of course be in the squad, but first pick days could be numbered, he really needs to be scoring more regularly for United, but the power and pace of Depay and Martial may make it difficult to deliver in central striking role.
Raheem Sterling
Has what all defenders fear pace, I think he is becoming a better player and more a team player since joining Manchester City, which will benefit England in the summer, I would love to see him in a wider role but with licence to roam.
Daniel Sturridge
Our best finisher, and showed at the World Cup he can do it at the top level, however he needs to be fit and healthy, and that has not happened for a long time.
Jamie Vardy
The form player, he has excellent attitude and will run all for you, the question mark is will international football be played at the right pace for him, he thrives on the counter attacking game, England will look to have plenty of midfield possession and Vardy will need to be very patient.
Harry Kane
Not convinced that he will cut it at England level, and that could also be argued long term at Premier League, he needs to improve his mobility and stop shooting from miles out, at the moment he would miss out for me.
Theo Walcott
This could be the season and the tournament for all the potential to come together, he has added finishing to his pace, and has plenty of international experience, if Sturridge is not fit Walcott needs to be up top.
Danny Welbeck
Impossible to judge due to the long injury break, he has always looked to me a better player for England than in the Premier League, Hodgson has regularly selected him, so if fit I think he will be selected.
Any outsiders?
Andy Carroll
Good to see him back and scoring, he led the line in Euro 2012 and did it reasonably well, if he keeps fit and scoring he will provided a completely different option, and would be an effective option at 60 minute mark if the game is not going to plan.
Charlie Austin
Staying in Championship probably has ended his chances, only chance is a January move and then a goal glut.
Forgotten men
Ricky Lambert in the 2014 squad, hardly played since, he is what Kane needs to avoid a one season wonder.
So in conclusion, I cant see Sturridge being fit so I would go with Walcott up top, with Rooney and Sterling playing behind him, Welbeck and Carroll being the options from the bench. But as I said at the start of the blog fitness is the biggest unknown for this selection dilemma.
