Aston Villa and England striker Darren Bent will be out of action for up to three months after rupturing his cruciate ligaments.
That would mean the 28 year-old would not be back in full training until the end of May.
Tight
With England’s first game at Euro 2012 in mid-June Bent could miss out on the competition.
It would be a big blow for the striker after he was overlooked for major tournaments in 2006 and 2010. If he does go to the European Championships then he probably won’t be fully-fit.
Goalscorer
Darren Bent is an out and out goal poacher. He has scored goals at every club he’s been at and scored goals for his country. The striker may not be the best at playing a part in the build-up play but he is a constant threat to opposition defences with pace and strong running.
Light
England could start Euro 2012 without the suspended Wayne Rooney and Darren Bent. That means that England would be very light for forward players that can play in those group games. The pair are undoubtedly the first choice strikers in the England setup.
Worry
Whoever the next England manager is will have a major worry ahead of the European Championships. At the moment it would be difficult to choose two experienced English international strikers. England do have some talented youngsters but they lack experience.
Youngsters
This season Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck have established themselves with their club side. There is no doubt that the pair are talented and have big futures. However they currently lack experience at senior international level.
Temporary England boss Stuart Pearce has called-up Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell but the former-England under-21 international has only just returned from 18 months out of the game through injury.
Older
The senior strikers available seem to be Jermaine Defoe and Andy Carroll. Defoe has made more appearances from the bench for Tottenham this season than he has from the start. He has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season. I don’t think Defoe would let anybody down.
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll has endured a nightmare time since his big money switch from Newcastle. The big Geordie has undoubted talent but seems to be struggling for confidence. Before his move to Liverpool he was being lauded as a future England regular.
I may be wrong to call Carroll a senior striker but he‘s slightly older than the likes of Welbeck and Sturridge. At just 23 years of age he is still very young and has time to develop into a good player. The media and fans have torn the striker apart because of his big price tag.
Return
If Harry Redknapp comes in as England manager then we could see the return to the England squad of beanpole striker Peter Crouch. Redknapp likes to have the option of a big striker in his squad and Crouch is a Redknapp favourite.
Crouch has a very decent goalscoring record at international level. The Stoke striker has found the net 22 times in 42 appearances for the Three Lions. Crouch returning to the squad may not be a popular decision with the fans but he wouldn’t let anybody down.
Decision
There is a lot of big decisions to be made before Euro 2012, including who the next England manager will be. That big decision will have a key bearing on who will lead the line for England next summer.
Who will be England’s first choice strike force at Euro 2012?
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