Green books place on the plane to South Africa.

  

Sells Goalkeeping Academy ambassador Robert Green has booked his place on the plane to South Africa after Fabio Capello named his 23-man World Cup squad today. 

  

Green was always a likely inclusion – with Capello always likely to take three shot-stoppers – although the news was confirmed by the Football Association this afternoon. 

  

He will be pushed for the number one jersey all the way by veteran goalkeeper David James, as well as Manchester City starlet Joe Hart, who performed well for Birmingham during the 2009-10 campaign. 

  

Green’s inclusion in England’s squad comes in the week when Three Lions legend Peter Shilton underlined his belief in the national media that Green should be Capello’s number one in South Africa this summer. 

  

England kick-off their World Cup campaign against the USA on June 12. 

  

England's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals: 

  

Goalkeepers: Robert Green (West Ham), Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth). 

  

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa). 

  

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City). 

  

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).