7. Kieran Gibbs

Injury to regular Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy gave Gibbs the chance to impress boss Arsene Wenger last season.

And, that he did, with a series of storming displays that led many to believe the England U21 full-back was set to make the grade up to Fabio Capello's senior side.

A broken metatarsal back in November ended such hopes but anybody who caught any of Gibbs' early season displays will be confident that the pacey fullback will be knocking on the England door sooner rather than later.

 6. Joe Hart

Undoubtedly the star goalkeeper of the Premier League last season, Joe Hart shot from nowhere to force his way into Fabio Capello's final 23 after a year's heroics between the sticks for Birmingham City.

It is believed only a lack of international experience cost Hart the England number one jersey this summer but with David James's expected retirement and Robert Green set to follow Scott Carson's career path, the goalkeeping jersey looks up for grabs.

And, if Hart can secure regular first-team action with a club side next season, there's no question that the ex-Shrewsbury stopper can fill the void.

5. Connor Wickham

Witness Connor Wickham's winning goal in the European Championships Under 17s final against Spain two months ago and it's not hard to see why the relatively unknown teen has been included in this list.

Wickham has built up a solid reputation in the lower leagues after a string of fine performances down at Portman Road with Ipswich.

Manager Roy Keane's £10-million valuation has so far put off the likes of Tottenham who have already come sniffing,

And, while the senior European Championships may arrive a little too early for the 17-year-old, a big money move may be all that's standing in the way between Wickham and the England first-team.

4. Jack Rodwell

Despite settling himself into Everton's midfield last season, Rodwell has all the attributes of a top quality centre-back.

Just 47 games into his professional career, Rodwell lit up England's march to the final of the European U21 Championships last summer with some scintillating displays in the holding midfield role.

Such impressive displays continued in the Premier League with manager David Moyes suggesting Rodwell could be the next Rio Ferdinand.

And, if the England manager for the Euro 2012 qualifying rounds is serious about freshening up his squad, Rodwell could be just the player to add a bit of youthful verve to spice up England's tired midfield formula.

3. Adam Johnson

Just a year ago, Adam Johnson wasn't even sure of a place in Middlesbrough's first eleven.

But Stewart Downing's transfer to Aston Villa gave the Sunderland-born winger the opening he was looking for and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

By the Championship's half-way point last season Johnson was on top of the goal-scoring charts and earning rave reviews for his performances.

It was enough to bag him a big money move to Manchester City where Johnson's goal against Sunderland was one of the strikes of the season, a delicious 18-yard curler that couldn't have been executed with greater technique and precision.

Operating down either wing, Johnson was called up to Fabio Capello's initial 30-man squad but failed to make the Italian coach's final cut. His time, surely, has now arrived.

 2. Wayne Rooney

South Africa 2010 was one to forget for one of the world's supposedly best players.

The Manchester United striker started all four of England's finals matches, but looked a completely different player to the one that won the Player's Player of the year award last season.

Whether dogged by injury, fatigue or hindered by the team's stale tactical setup, Rooney failed to find the back of the net once and was arguably the tournament's most disappointing talent.

But, no player who demonstrates such unquestionable talent at the highest level on a week-by-week basis simply disappears from the game.

The scouse terrier's time will come and when it does, England will be all the better for it.

1. Jack Wilshere

Quite simply one of the most exciting prospects to have emerged from the English game in years.

After joining Arsenal as a nine-year-old, Wilshere enjoyed a meteoric rise through their ranks to become the youngest ever player to put on a Gunners shirt when he made his league debut at 16.

As an attacking midfielder, Wilshere has technique, vision and skill in abundance; an English playmaker not seen since the days of Paul Gascoigne.

If there is one black spot on Wilshere's as yet glittering CV it is his volatile temperament.

But there is no coach better to control that than Arsene Wenger and the astute Frenchman has already acted by sending the midfielder out on-loan to Bolton last season to toughen him up.