Possible England starting 11 v Sweden

England set off to Stockholm on Wednesday night to face a Sweden side in a friendly which will introduce the new 50,100 capacity stadium for the hosts, the Friends Arena.

Roy Hodgson is set to name a youthful Three Lions team following injuries to Ashley Cole, James Milner and Frank Lampard, as well as late withdrawals from Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney and Aaron Lennon.

Hodgson confirmed on Tuesday that Steven Gerrard will win his 100th cap for England and there will be full international debuts for Leon Osman, Raheem Sterling and Steven Caulker.

England team to face Sweden: Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Caulker, Baines, Gerrard, Cleverley, Osman, Sterling, Welbeck, Young 

Total Football's Kuvan Sidhu gave his view on who was likely to start for England in their final assignment of a testing year.

Joe Hart

Undoubtedly England’s strongest goalkeeper right now, Joe Hart will be set to retain his place between the sticks against the Swedes.

The Manchester City stopper has had yet another fantastic season in goal for the Premier League champions, with glittering displays against teams such as Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Fraser Forster has fully earned his England call-up with tremendous performances against Barcelona which saw Celtic produce a shock 2-1 Champions League victory at Celtic Park, so it could be possible that he may be a half-time substitute as Hodgson is likely to experiment different options.

However, be very surprised if Hart doesn't start in goal again. 

Glen Johnson

With the early precautionary substitution of Kyle Walker on Sunday in Spurs’ clash with Manchester City, Glen Johnson is likely to retain his place at right back.

The Liverpool man has been playing at left back for his club for the majority of this season but has shown big improvements in recent weeks coming into this international friendly.

Gary Cahill 

Gary Cahill goes into this game with a point to prove and that is to win a regular place in the England side.

Despite John Terry's international retirement in September, Cahill has had to play second fiddle to Joleon Lescott.

With Lescott out through injury for this one, Cahill (pictured) has a great chance to cement his claim for a starting place.

In great form for Chelsea at the moment, he is a threat from set pieces and has shown throughout the year that he can perform on the big stage.

Phil Jagielka

The pressure is on Phil Jagielka to retain his place as a central defensive regular in the England setup.

With Ryan Shawcross and Steven Caulker showing plenty of promise and Phil Jones still recovering from injury, it could be Jagielka's place in future that comes under greater scrutiny.

No-one can deny he deserves his place on merit though and he will need to be in top form against the unpredictable but dynamic Zlatan Ibrahimovic against the Swedes. 

If Jagielka features, it will be from the bench as Steven Caulker looks set to win his first international cap ahead of the England man. 

Leighton Baines

With the absence of the Three Lions first choice left back Cole, Jagielka's Everton team-mate Leighton Baines will retain his place in the starting 11.

Baines not only provides excellent defensive solidarity but he also has the ability to attack down the left wing and produce dangerous crosses.

He can link up well in the final third with the attacking players and his venomous left foot means he is a real danger from direct set piece opportunities.

Jack Wilshere 

Although Jack Wilshere has only recently made his return to first-team football at Arsenal, the belief was he will be amongst the starting line-up due to the injuries and unavailability of other English midfielders.

Perhaps his lack of regular football has played a part in Hodgson's decision to play Leon Osman from the start ahead of the Arsenal man. 

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is already angry with Hodgson for selecting Wilshere in the first place but the previous international experience that he has obtained is crucial in a relatively untested squad.

Steven Gerrard 

England captain Steven Gerrard will become a member of England’s 100 club in Stockholm.

The Liverpool legend has been a brilliant servant for club and country, arguably being the most consistent England player of the last 10 years.

With his advancing years, his role in the England midfield has changed as he will be asked to dictate play from a deeper role to allow younger legs to get forward.

Gerrard will also have to keep tabs on the talented Swedish midfielder Rasmus Elm, who impressed against the English at Euro 2012.

Tom Cleverley

Tom Cleverley has made a mixed start to his international career but he has come on leaps and bounds since his participation for Team GB at the Olympic Games.

Hodgson is likely to allow the Manchester United midfielder plenty of creative freedom higher up the pitch in relation to midfield partner Gerrard.

It is another chance to see his international credentials at this level. 

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling is likely to be unleashed against Sweden following his great form at club level for Liverpool.

The 17-year-old was an unused substitute in England’s 1-1 draw against Ukraine in September but is likely to earn his first England cap on the right wing of an attacking front three.

Sterling has shown plenty of composure in his short career at Anfield. He will bring pace to the attack, which is bound to worry the Swedish backline.

His prominence has been exciting to watch and this would be a deserved first cap for an individual who has shown plenty of maturity at such a young age.

Danny Welbeck

With Rooney and Jermain Defoe ruled out through injury and Andy Carroll not selected, Danny Welbeck's inclusion from the start is almost a certainty.  

Welbeck has shown a cutting edge already at international level and is top scorer for Hodgson in his tenure as Three Lions boss.

Sweden still probably have nightmares of his clever backheel in Kiev, which ended their participation at Euro 2012 in the summer. 

Ashley Young 

Ashley Young has had a testing few months. He had a poor Euro 2012 and lost his confidence in a Manchester United shirt too.

Injury has stalled his season at Old Trafford but his unpredictable element could be a plus to Hodgson for this friendly.

Young has plenty of pace and the ability to cross the ball into the box for target man Welbeck.  He definitely has the quality to give the Swedish defence plenty of headaches. 

By Kuvan Sidhu – Follow me on Twitter @Kuvinho08