Joel Ward - England's number 2?

Article by e-Crystal Palace Correspondent Darryl Murdoch

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You may have heard, there's a World Cup this summer, in Brazil no less and England are there, and whilst not many give Roy's boys a chance, it could be one of the most important World Cups of recent times for the national team. There has been plenty of talk of building for the future and giving young players some experience at a major tournament - and for me, that means picking Joel Ward.

The Palace right back has been one of the stand out English performers in that position all season and has rightly earned plaudits. WhoScored.com have him as the highest rated English right back in their recent "Best rated English XI" with a rating of 7.27, a higher rating than both Glen Johnson of Liverpool (7.08) and Tottenham's Kyle Walker (7.15). Ward is also rated as the Premier Leagues best defensive tackler, winning 68% of duels so far this season and whilst stats aren't the be all and end all of this argument, they go someway to backing up Joel's claim for a place in the squad.

Roy Hodgson showed he is happy to reward up and coming youngsters by calling up Luke Shaw and handing Rahim Sterling a recall for the upcoming friendly with Denmark later this month. Roy also said that the door is still open to players not included in the latest squad, and while Joel wasn't mentioned by name, this must give him hope that the continuation of the form he's shown this season could see him in the reckoning for a seat on the plane to Brazil.

At 24 years old Joel has his best years ahead of him and will only get better as he settles in to life in the Premier League. I can't think of a game this season where he's been roasted by a winger and although he has made mistakes which have cost the team - Arsenal's second goal in the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates last month being one - he has often been the difference between Palace being take apart by top level performers.

Joel also has versatility on his side. Injuries have forced Tony Pulis into shuffling his lack and Joel has operated at both left back and in midfield for the Eagles this season and this versatility could give him the edge if Roy does decide to visit Selhurst Park to take a look between now and the end of the season. With home games against title contenders Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool still to come, Joel will have the opportunity to test himself against the best and if he puts in good displays then there is no reason why he won't be capped by his country sooner rather than later.

There is always a surprise in squads for major tournaments, someone who comes from nowhere to grab a spot on the plane. Think Theo Walcott in 2006 or Jordan Henderson for Euro 2012 - Joel Ward could be that man for 2014, and he wouldn't be out of place one little bit.

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