Midfielder Jack Wilshere believes the form of
strikers Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge will
bolster England's hopes of reaching the World
Cup.
Both were missing for the 0-0 draw in Ukraine, but
return for the double-header against Montenegro and
Poland.
"Sturridge is the best striker in the league this season,"
Wilshere said of the Liverpool forward, who is the top-
scorer in the Premier League so far.
"Rooney doesn't lose his appetite and is Manchester
United's best player."
They are two of five forwards in the squad selected by
coach Roy Hodgson for the matches against
Montenegro on Friday and Poland next Tuesday.
The Arsenal midfielder is confident England have the
required firepower to win the remaining fixtures -
which would guarantee qualification for Brazil.
"Rickie Lambert [of Southampton] has done a great
job," the 21-year-old added.
"He scored a couple [against Scotland and Moldova]
and did well in Ukraine which was a difficult place to
go. To be up there on your own and do the job he did,
he did really well.
"We have got [Tottenham's Jermain] Defoe who can
score from any position and [Manchester United's]
Danny Welbeck as well who is looking sharp. We have
got a good mix there and it can only be helpful for us."
Another potential source of goals could be left-back
Leighton Baines, who scored two superb superb free-
kicks in the same match against West Ham recently and
is favourite to replace the injured Ashley Cole against
Montenegro.
"I am sure he won't let us down," England defender
Phil Jagielka said of his club-mate.
"He is a good defender and he gives us another
attacking threat down the left flank as well."
England go into Friday's penultimate qualifier against
Montenegro at Wembley unbeaten, having won four of
their eight matches so far.
"It's nice to be unbeaten but we can still be unbeaten
and not go to the World Cup," Wilshere added.
"We don't want that. We have got two big games ahead
of us and we need to focus. We will look at Montenegro
and look at their strengths."
A Guardian report in August revealed that the
opening weekend of Premier League fixtures this
season marked an all-time low in terms of the number
of Englishmen starting games.
However, the Gunners midfielder believes foreign
players are not affecting first-team opportunities for
English players in the Premier League.
"If you look in the Premier League, [West Ham
midfielder] Ravel Morrison has burst onto the scene. It
is not just him, there are a lot of English players
breaking into teams.
"I learn from the top foreign players at Arsenal. It only
helps my game playing with top European players.
"If you are good enough, it does not matter where you
come from."
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