Adam Lallana has likely booked his place in England’s World Cup squad, following an impressive cameo against Denmark on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old won his first cap for the Three Lions last year, and is one of several players who are said to be on the fringes of making the final 23-man pool this summer. However, his performance against the Danes as a second-half substitute is likely to have removed all doubt over his place, as he impressed during a 30 minute cameo.
Lallana created the only goal of the game for Daniel Sturridge when he cut inside his man on the left hand side before floating a pass to the back post for the Liverpool striker to head past Kasper Schmeichel. Having tasted defeat in his two previous appearances, against Chile and Germany, this result was particularly pleasing for the Southampton ace.
“I’m delighted, most of all really because last time out we had two defeats, against Chile and Germany, so it was great to be involved in a winning England display,” he said. “I just gave my best and that’s all you can do, as everyone else does. We know it’s the last time that we meet up before he names his 30-man squad at the end of the season.”
Lallana wasn’t the only Saints star to impress, as Luke Shaw replaced Ashley Cole for the second half against Morten Olsen’s side. The teenager is now giving Roy Hodgson a serious selection dilemma ahead of the Finals, as to whether it should be he or the experienced Chelsea star who accompanies Everton’s Leighton Baines on the plane.
Elsewhere, Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and, in particular, Raheem Sterling, did their hopes of making the squad no harm with encouraging displays, but there was concern over Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney who was ineffective throughout. England are next in action against Peru at Wembley in May, and face Ecuador and Honduras in June before their World Cup begins with the clash against Italy on the 14th.
