England go into a major tournament free of major expectations

Having struggled at the World Cup in South Africa, England qualified for Euro 2012 with relative ease by topping their group with an unbeaten record.

That was under the stewardship of Fabio Capello, who has since departed, meaning there is a sense of uncertainty around the camp and new boss Roy Hodgson has very little time to prepare the players before the tournament kicks off.

Hodgson will probably stick with the successful 4-2-3-1 formation after England eventually moved away from 4-4-2 in the latter stages of Capello's tenure.

Star Man - Joe Hart

In the space of just two years Joe Hart has gone from being an unused squad member in South Africa to becoming the first name on the team sheet.

And that's not just because the goalkeeper goes at the top of the list, it's because he's guaranteed to make a difference every time he plays.

The Manchester City shot-stopper makes scoring goals very difficult for the opposition and has kept seven clean sheets for his country since making the number one jersey his own.

He doesn't let the few mistakes he makes get to him either, which is vital when under the England media spotlight.

One to Watch - Ashley Young

Manchester United winger Ashley Young burst onto the England scene at the start of this qualifying campaign, having been on the fringes of the squad since making his debut in 2007.

After scoring his first England goal in February 2011, he has scored four in five games.

Young has scored six times, and picked up 11 assists, for United this season and will be a key threat in the absence of Wayne Rooney for the first two matches.

Goals scored in qualifying: 17 in eight games

Goals conceded in qualifying: Five

Top scorer: Three - Bent, Defoe, Rooney, Young

Most assists: Three - Rooney, Young

Most attempts on target: 10 - Rooney