8 Strikers in the Running to Be Named in England’s 2018 World Cup Squad

Stop laughing – Carroll isn’t as ridiculous suggestion as you may think.

In fact, earlier this month former England international Danny Mills said of Carroll on Sky Sports: “I certainly think he would be a Plan B or a Plan C, whichever way you want to look at it. I mean aerially he is fantastic. He is still, without a doubt, one of the best headers of the ball in the Premier League.”

The 6ft 3in West Ham striker could certainly provide a target-man presence up front – if he can stay healthy. The 29-year-old, who has 52 Premier League and nine international caps (scoring twice), has had a litany of injuries over the course of his career, ranging from ruptured ankle ligaments to groin strains.

The fact that he’s currently recovering from foot surgery means that he likely won’t have enough match fitness to be a likely consideration for the World Cup squad.

Chance of making WC squad: 1/10

Murray, at 34, is one of the oldest striking options available for England. But don’t let his age fool you – the physical forward has scored 13 goals in 31 matches for Brighton in all competitions this season.

He has no caps for England’s senior side, and his inclusion would be a surprise, but his form this season, in combination with his aerial ability, gives him an outside chance.

Chance of making WC squad: 2/10

There’s a recurring theme here – injuries – and Sturridge is no stranger to them.

The 28-year-old has only made 12 appearances in the league this season (scoring 2 goals), and fell so far down the pecking order at Liverpool that he was loaned to West Brom during the January transfer window (only to be sidelined again in February due to a hamstring problem).

Sturridge does have 26 caps and eight goals for England, but his inability to play consistent games means he’s a long shot to make the squad.

Chance of making WC squad: 2/10

The ageless Defoe (okay he’s actually 35), still knows how to find the back of the net. He’s bagged three goals in 18 appearances this season (nine as a sub) as the Cherries lean on Callum Wilson as their main striking option.

But Defoe’s track record speaks for itself. He scored 15 goals in each of the last two league seasons for Sunderland, and is the seventh highest marksman in Premier League history with 161 goals. On top of that, Defoe has 20 international goals in 57 appearances for England.

Defoe may have lost a step, and there are better options ahead of him, but the clinical striker can still offer something should England require it.

Chance of making WC squad: 3/10

Wilson’s career has been blighted by injuries, which is such a shame because the 26-year-old can be a top finisher when he’s on his game. He has 18 league goals in 54 appearances for the Cherries, which isn’t bad considering Wilson has suffered ACL injuries to both knees in the space of 16 months.

Wilson doesn’t have any caps for England’s senior side, and he’s unlikely to break that streak in Russia – barring several injuries to players higher in the pecking order.

Chance of making WC squad: 4/10

Rashford, who can play as both a winger and a striker, is one of England’s brightest young talents. In 27 league matches this season, he has six goals and five assists.

The 20-year-old’s pace, creativity and instinct for goal are a few of the reasons that Southgate has already stated he will be a part of the team to head to Russia, according to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

Let’s hope the young star can remain healthy and keep up his stellar form heading in to the World Cup.

Chance of making WC squad: 9/10

There might not be a harder working player in the England senior team than Vardy – a testament to his rise from being a non-league striker at Stocksbridge Park Steels to scoring for England at Euro 2016.

Vardy claimed his seventh international goal when he netted against Italy in England’s last friendly before the World Cup, which, along with his club form this season (17 goals in all competitions), should guarantee him a place on the plane.

Chance of making WC squad: 9/10

The fact that almost every England fan and pundit alike would personally pay for Kane’s ticket to Russia – even with the Tottenham striker currently sidelined with an ankle injury – is proof that he is the team’s most important player.

The 24-year-old was on fire prior to his injury in March, scoring an astounding 35 goals in 39 matches in all competitions for Spurs. His tally this season takes him to 102 goals in the Premier League, which already puts him in 26th place in the all-time goalscoring list.

Club doctors have said that they expect Kane to return to training at the start of April, which would give him enough time to regain match fitness. For all our sakes, let’s hope he’s in his best form come the World Cup.