With time running out before England manager Roy Hodgson names his final squad for the World Cup, AFP ran the rule over five fringe players hoping to catch the eye in Wednesday's 1-0 friendly win over Denmark at Wembley:

Ashley Cole

While it may be hard to see the left-back as a bit-part player, in fact he has spent much of the season on the Chelsea bench after falling out of favour with boss Jose Mourinho and his World Cup berth is also under threat from in-form duo Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw.

Cole needed to show Hodgson he hadn't lost a step after his spell on the sidelines and there were few signs of rust in his 45 minute first-half appearance before being replaced by Shaw.

The 33-year-old looked solid in defence and also proved he is still capable of those trademark lung-bursting surges, with one incisive run ending with the cross that produced England's best chance of the first half for Raheem Sterling.

Raheem Sterling

The Liverpool winger let the ball run out of play with his first touch of the match, but he recovered from that gaffe to make a convincing case for his inclusion in the squad.

In just his second England appearance, Sterling started on the right but was given license to roam all across England's three-man forward line and dropped deep at one stage to unfurl a tremendous pass that gave Wayne Rooney a sight of goal.

With a little more composure Sterling would have opening the scoring when he flicked Cole's cross against a post from close-range just before half-time, but this lively showing, which earned him the man of the match award, may have convinced Hodgson he can fill in for the injured Theo Walcott.

Luke Shaw

The teenage Southampton left-back passed his World Cup audition with flying colours as he made a composed debut that belied his lack of experience.

Shaw idolised Cole while growing up just around the corner from Chelsea's Cobham training ground and now he has a chance of taking his boyhood hero's place on the plane to Brazil.

The 18-year-old cried tears of joy when he learnt of his first England call-up last week, but stage-fright wasn't an issue once he got his debut as a half-time replacement for Cole.

He whipped over a superb low cross that was begging for a finishing touch and never looked flustered when Denmark attacked down his flank.

Adam Lallana

The Southampton midfielder, who replaced Jack Wilshere after 59 minutes, finally gave a glimpse of his undoubted potential at the third attempt.

Lallana's previous two international appearances had been underwhelming, but this was much more like it from the Saints captain, who added flair and purpose in the wide areas.

The 25-year-old showcased his impressive technique with a sublime Cruyff turn in the Denmark penalty area and then laid on the 82nd minute winner by cleverly working space to loft a cross to Daniel Sturridge at the far post.

Danny Welbeck

The Manchester United forward pushed himself back into World Cup contention after making a dynamic cameo appearance after coming on for Rooney midway through the second half.

Welbeck had dropped down the England pecking order after struggling for playing time at United this season and he looked energised by a rare chance to strut his stuff.

He tested Kasper Schmeichel with a fierce drive from the edge of the area and then brought a brave stop from the Dane when he tried to convert Jordan Henderson's pass.