Wayne Bridge
Born: 05/08/80
Position: Defender
Club: Chelsea
Caps: 16
Goals: 0
Made two substitute appearances during the World Cup and, with Ashley Cole out injured, he took his chance well.
Having started life as a midfielder he is comfortable going forward and has been used in front of Arsenal's Cole by Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Left Southampton to join Chelsea in a £7m summer move in a bid to increase his international chances.
Regular Champions League football with Chelsea has helped Bridge improve his game and broaden his experience at the highest level.
Sol Campbell
Born: 18/09/74
Position: Defender
Club: Arsenal
Caps: 56
Goals: 1
Arsenal's central defender continues to be a powerful presence at club and international level.
Campbell was named in the All Star team after the 2002 World Cup and is regarded highly in the international arena.
Established a successful central defensive partnership with Rio Ferdinand, but will be playing alongside someone else at Euro 2004 with the Manchester United player banned.
Has been in excellent form for Arsenal and was instrumental in their record-breaking, title-winning unbeaten season in the Premiership.
One of the most accomplished English defenders of recent generations, Sol Campbell is a stable fixture in the national team’s defence. Immensely strong and quick, he is a dominating presence with tremendous aerial ability.
National team
Campbell has been a regular for England since his debut against Hungary in May 1996. He appeared once at EURO 96™ and in all of England's games at the 2000 UEFA European Championship, but has reserved his finest international displays for FIFA World Cups. Campbell was one of England's best performers at France '98 and was equally impressive four years later in Korea/Japan, breaking his international goal duck when scoring his country's first goal in the competition against Sweden and being named in the team of the tournament.
UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Although Campbell only played in four qualifying matches, his immense presence was felt in both games against Turkey, notably in Istanbul as England won Group 7.
Club
Campbell emerged as a promising young defender at Tottenham Hotspur FC in the early 1990s and went on to captain the north London club. In total he made 246 league appearances during nearly a decade at White Hart Lane, lifting the English League Cup in 1997/98.
2001: Campbell suffered the wrath of the THFC faithful after leaving his boyhood club for north London rivals Arsenal for free in 2001. The towering central defender failed to let the aggravation faze him during a season in which he matured with the team as they triumphed in both the Premiership and FA Cup.
2002/03: With the furore of his switch behind him, Campbell proved himself a worthy successor to Tony Adams. After being sent off against Manchester United FC, he missed the league run-in and Arsenal's FA Cup final success.
Did you know?
Reported to have caught the acting bug after making a cameo appearance in British television drama 'Footballers' Wives'.
Jamie Carragher
Born: 28/01/78
Position: Defender
Club: Liverpool
Caps: 11
Goals: 0
Carragher's versatility has made him a useful player for Sven-Goran Eriksson to have at his disposal.
But his adaptability threatens to see him regarded as a jack of all trades and master of none.
The Liverpool defender was a regular for the England Under-21s, but is yet to establish himself as a real contender for a starting spot.
Steve Finnan's summer arrival at Anfield will not have helped his cause but Carragher's continued determination after returning from a broken leg last year makes him a crucial member of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad.
Ashley Cole
Born: 20/12/80
Position: Defender
Club: Arsenal
Caps: 24
Goals: 0
Has established himself as the number one choice at left-back although is likely to face increasing pressure for his spot from Chelsea's Wayne Bridge.
Cole's ability to get forward has helped England cope with their lack of a left winger, although there are still question marks over the defensive side of his game.
The Arsenal defender needs to curb a hot-headed streak but is vastly experienced despite his relatively tender years having made the breakthrough at a young age.
Cole enjoyed a fine season for record-breaking Arsenal, who remained unbeaten as they clinched the Premiership title.
Born five days before Christmas in 1980, Ashley Cole, a left-sided defender, is regarded as one of England's finest young talents.
National team
A permanent fixture in the national team, he underlined his status as the country's premier performer in his role at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Any doubts about Cole's defensive abilities were allayed by his superb performances in Korea/Japan, particularly when he shackled Argentina's Ariel Ortega in England's 1-0 victory in Sapporo.
UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
An automatic selection when fit, Cole appeared in five of England's qualifiers. Hernia surgery in February 2003 prevented him from adding two more caps to his tally.
Club
Londoner Cole has seemingly not been affected by his meteoric rise from the obscurity of Arsenal FC's reserve side to the world stage via the UEFA Champions League. A product of the Highbury youth system, Cole forced his way into the Arsenal side for the first time in autumn 2000, having spent time on loan with Crystal Palace FC earlier in the year, and quickly relegated the skilful Brazilian Silvinho to the sidelines. Blessed with blistering pace, the ability to make forceful overlapping runs and provide telling crosses, he was a domestic double winner in 2001/02.
2002/03: Cole made 31 Premiership appearances as Arsenal relinquished their crown to Manchester United FC. However, his season ended on a high when he helped the Gunners lift the FA Cup for the second season running at the expense of Southampton FC.
Did you know?
Cole made his international bow in a World Cup qualifier against Albania in June 2001 - a debut coming on the back of a mere 19 Premiership appearances.
Ledley King
Born: 12/10/80
Position: Defender
Club: THFC
Caps: 3
Goals: 1
King made his Tottenham debut as an 18-year-old and became a first-team regular at White Hart Lane in the 2000-2001 season.
Following Sol Campbell's departure before the 2001-2002 season King stepped into his shoes, and his performances at the heart of the THFC defence earned him an England debut as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Italy in March 2002.
He was also used as a substitute against Australia in February 2003 in another England friendly defeat, but then appeared to drop down the pecking order.
However, King again profited from the loss of Campbell - this time through injury - in earning a call-up for the friendly with Portugal and he made his most of the opportunity with a goal and an impressive display.
Gary Neville
Born: 18/02/75
Position: Defender
Club: Manchester United
Caps: 61
Goals: 0
With 61 caps to his name and a string of domestic medals, Neville is one of England's most experienced and reliable players.
His defensive ability has proved crucial for club and country, and his years of playing with David Beckham on the right for Manchester United have benefited the national team.
Danny Mills has deputised well and the emergence of Chelsea youngster Glen Johnson will put pressure on Neville - but the Manchester United man remains first choice.
His massive experience in the Champions League and at major finals is crucial in such a young squad and Sven-Goran Eriksson will continue to rely heavily on him.
Phil Neville
Born: 21/01/77
Position: Defender
Club: Manchester United
Caps: 46
Goals: 0
Neville has rarely been a first choice for club or country but has still amassed 45 caps for England, largely as cover when injuries strike.
Was brought off the bench against Macedonia and Liechtenstein when England went ahead and protected the back four impressively.
He is regarded more as a reliable stop-gap than a regular, but his selection by a succession of England managers shows the respect in which he is held in the game.
Sir Alex Ferguson is as confident about using Neville as a midfield man as he is as a defender and that versatility makes him a useful member of Eriksson's squad.
John Terry
Born: 07/12/1980
Position: Defender
Club: Chelsea
Caps: 7
Goals: 0
Terry will almost certainly make up one half of England's first-choice centre back pairing after strong performances for Chelsea and injury to Jonathan Woodgate.
He will play alongside Sol Campbell and England will be hoping both men remain fit in the build up to Portugal.
Terry has been outstanding at the heart of defence in Chelsea's new-look side and was a key figure in their progress to the Champions League semi-finals.
Strong and composed, Terry is a natural leader and can already be considered an England regular.
