Danny Welbeck was OK on the left but it's Raheem Sterling who brings England to life

Steven Gerrard called those long, lonely nights out on the left wing under former England manager Fabio Capello the graveyard shift.
Roy Hodgson has the bodies in this squad - five in all - to fill the role, but Danny Welbeck is his go-to man out on England’s left.
Hodgson is spoilt for choice on either flank and he will surely give into temptation when England experiment against Ecuador and Honduras in Miami next week. Raheem Sterling, if anyone, deserves a run.

Ambition: Danny Welbeck wants to compete with Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney for a central role

Wide man: Roy Hodgson prefers to play the Manchester United forward on the left for England

Flyer: Speedster Welbeck removes a paper aeroplane from the pitch during the Peru friendly at Wembley

 

Blow it now and there is a chance that you could be at the back of the queue when it comes to the crunch against Italy in the opening group game at the World Cup on June 14.
In Portugal, during England’s week-long training camp the at swish Vale do Lobo resort, Welbeck spoke of his frustrations about life on the left flank.
He wanted to compete with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge for a central role in this England team, Hodgson prefers him on the left.
It is there that he has made his mark with England, weighing in with a steady stream of goals during the national team’s successful World Cup qualifying campaign.
Daniel Sturridge, who scored England’s opener, is immovable. He is England’s threat up front and the Liverpool striker is thriving with the responsibility of leading the line.

Immovable: Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is thriving as he leads the line for England

Curler: Sturridge's stunning strike from the top of the box showed the quality he's capable of producing

Welbeck doesn't have that confidence right now, but Hodgson is a loyal man and Welbeck is a willing servant.
This has not been an easy season for the Manchester United forward and there is a feeling that his career at Old Trafford is coming to a close.
He did OK last night, nothing more than that on a night when Hodgson wanted to give a decent-sized Wembley crowd a worthy send off before they head out to Miami.
Welbeck had a couple of decent touches, including a mazy first half run past four or five Peru players that should have ended with a free-kick. 
Still, there must have been a temptation for Hodgson to start with Sterling, the one man who has been on fire during England’s two weeks together. At 18 he plays without fear.

No fear: Raheem Sterling brings a substantial spark to the England line-up when on the pitch

Late change: Sterling came on for Wayne Rooney in the 65th minute in England's 3-0 win over Peru

Sterling has conviction, one of the driving forces behind Liverpool’s thrilling chase for the Barclays Premier League title. He should have started at Wembley.
You could make a case for James Milner too after his exceptional performances for Manchester City in the final weeks of their title-winning season. Milner came on towards the end, but it was a pity that he didn’t get a decent chance to shine at the national stadium. His chance will come again.
On the opposite wing Adam Lallana was neat and tidy in his third appearance, but he is still playing his way into this England team. That can take time.
Lallana has all the ability, the technical touches required to play at the highest level. He also looks comfortable on either wing.

Neat and tidy: Southampton's Adam Lallana showed promise on the right wing but is still playing himself in