England boss Fabio Capello has revealed his squad numbers for the World Cup in South Africa, with Joe Cole, David James and Peter Crouch in his first 11.James looks to have won the nod to be first-choice goalkeeper, while Crouch is given the number nine shirt ahead of Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.
Cole is handed the number 11 jersey and now may have a chance of starting against the United States on 12 June.
As expected, Spurs winger Aaron Lennon will wear the number seven.
Holding midfielder Gareth Barry, an almost certain starter before suffering an ankle injury on May 5, has been given the number 14 shirt. It remains to be seen whether he recovers full fitness in time for Capello to play him in the opening match.
If not, the squad numbers suggest Joe Cole will play on the left of midfield, with Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard reunited again in the centre.
Robert Green's excellent display against Mexico last week saw many observers tip him to be England's first-choice goalkeeper at the tournament but Capello has chosen to give the number one shirt to James, with Joe Hart wearing 23.
The Italian has preferred Heskey up front throughout most of England's successful qualifying campaign, with Wayne Rooney also admitting he enjoys playing with the burly Aston Villa striker.
But Crouch has been given the prized number nine shirt - worn by the likes of Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer in previous World Cups - and now appears to be the favourite to start against the States.
The squad numbers do not confirm which players are first-choice, but they are usually a good barometer of who is likely to play in the opening match - barring injuries.
Capello has nine days of preparation with his squad before their opening Group C match at the 45,000-capacity Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.
The team landed at Johannesburg's OR Tambo airport at 0800 BST on Thursday after an 11-hour flight from London.
The squad headed straight to their base for the duration of the tournament, the newly built multi-million pound Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus at Rustenburg.
Full England World Cup squad numbers
1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Frank Lampard
9. Peter Crouch
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Joe Cole
12. Robert Green
13. Stephen Warnock
14. Gareth Barry
15. Matthew Upson
16. James Milner
17. Shaun Wright-Phillips
18. Jamie Carragher
19. Jermain Defoe
20. Ledley King
21. Emile Heskey
22. Michael Carrick
23. Joe Hart
Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk
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