GettyImagesRyan Shawcross: Could be first Stoke player to represent England since 1984

I think most would have expected Ryan Shawcross's previous call up to the England side to be more a case of integrating into the squad and the experience of joining up with his international team-mates than actually featuring in what were two important qualifiers.

- Trio handed England debuts

This time, however, the stakes aren't so high and the fact that Wednesday night's match is a friendly affords Hodgson the opportunity to look at those players he'd be cautious to use otherwise risk. It comes as a surprise therefore that the England manager has chosen to start with Steven Caulker and Gary Cahill in the centre of defence, meaning that the wait goes on for Ryan to get his first cap.

That wait may well only be 45 minutes though as England will be permitted to use up to six substitutes and I expect they will take advantage of that perhaps for a half-time switch over.

Many will prefer to see the more 'higher profile' prospects feature as substitutes but every Stokie will be hoping and praying that the club captain gets the nod and makes history as the first Stoke player to represent England since Mark Chamberlain back in 1984.

Despite what some fans and journalists would have you believe, Shawcross is an excellent role model for any young professional and more than deserves his chance, a player who opted to drop down the leagues, despite being offered a new deal by Manchester United, in order to play first team football.

A player who keeps quiet, doesn't speculate on his future or get photographed rolling out of nightclubs in the early hours. A player who realises how lucky he is, who knuckles down and keeps working, as indeed he has for his call-up, amidst the often ludicrous backdrop of a quite public hate campaign from some quarters.

It will be a proud moment for everyone involved with Stoke City should he get that nod, one perhaps only surpassed by him putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract on his return from international duty. Good luck Ryan, we'll be with you every step along the way.

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