Nick Barmby: Has a vital role to play (GaryMPrior/Allsport)

If Kevin Keegan learned anything from the game against Malta, it has to be that Nick Barmby must be in the starting line-up against Portgual.

Barmby showed all the qualities England have so often been lacking. He looked sharp, hungry for the ball and able to spot the perfect through ball.

But it was not just against Malta that the Everton midfielder showed those qualities. Against the Ukraine three days earlier he made an immediate impact as a second half substitute.

Steve McManaman and Emile Heskey were both put through by Barmby only to waste gilt-edged opportunities to add to England's tally.

In Malta the former Tottenham and Middlesbrough man played in the troublesome left-side role. Can there be any questions left to ask about who should fill that position? I admit that I, like many others, was very surprised to hear the 26-year-old linked with an England recall, but he has proved his doubters wrong.

There will be calls for a role to be found for McManaman in the line-up, but it seems to me as though it's going to be tough to slot him in to the first eleven for the opening match.

So, with Nick Barmby in on the left, who should fill the rest of the side?

In goal, I personally would go for Nigel Martyn. When tested by the formidable Ukraine strikeforce of Sergei Rebrov and Andrei Shevchenko, Martyn was equal to all that was thrown at him.

The Leeds United stopper has been outstanding all season - and was recently voted Goalkeeper of the Year. He came out top in our poll of who should be in net for England. He collected two thirds of the votes cast - 9434 in total. That was 5533 votes ahead of David Seaman.

But it is almost certain that Seaman will be between the sticks at least at the start of the competition. Keegan has long made it clear that the Arsenal goalkeeper is his number one.

The coach is obviously eager to go with tournament experience. But for me Martyn now has the edge on Seaman and if he doesn't make it into the side for the Finals, he surely has to be first choice once the World Cup qualifiers get under way later in the year. Richard Wright is obviously along for the experience - barring injuries and suspension.

Moving into the defence, I believe it is crucial that England stick to the 4-4-2 they are so confident and familiar with. It was shown in the early stages against the Ukraine that the defence is not comfortable with three-man central defence.

The only real candidate at right back is Gary Neville. I am not a fan of the Manchester United defender and feel that he would not be in the squad if he was not playing at Old Trafford.

But he at least showed a glimmer of skill against Malta, producing the cross from which Martin Keown headed the opening goal.

The left back role is another troublesome spot. Greame Le Saux would definitely have been first choice if he had been fit, but his injury problems have left Keegan with a dilemma.

Unfortunately the only real immediate option is Phil Neville. I even rate his brother higher than him.

It's a real shame that Gareth Barry hasn't had the chance to gain more international experience because he has been very bright off the subs' bench. But I can see Barry being a very useful piece of armour when coming on late in the game during the tournament. He is a star of the future.

The inspirational Tony Adams picks himself in the centre of defence. He obviously does not have a great deal of time left in international football - and it will be a sad day when he confines himself to the club game.

So the question is who will partner him in the middle. A few months ago I wouldn't have hesitated to pick Sol Campbell, but the Spurs man's form has dipped of late. That's why I would go for Adams' Arsenal team-mate Keown. They know each other well and Keown has been impressive in the warm-ups. I don't see Gareth Southgate having any penalty worries this time around.

I've already pledged my support for Barmby to play on the left, and it goes without saying that David Beckham should fill the role on the opposite flank. His crossing is simply the best in the world.

One of the spots in central midfield goes to Paul Scholes. He seems to shine whenever he wears an England shirt and Keegan could certainly do with him popping up in and around the box to grab a few vital goals.

The hardest position to call is that of the man to control the midfield. There are two candidates - Paul Ince and Dennis Wise. Before the warm-up games I would probably have gone for Wise, but Ince has proved a lot of critics wrong with his performances recently.

I still think it will go right down to the wire between the two for a place in the side for the opening game, but I am going to go with Ince's greater international experience coupled with the way he has played over the last few games.

Steven Gerrard is another player who can take this tournament and build on it for the future. He is unlikely to figure a great deal in the next month.

So that leaves the forwards. Should Alan Shearer be in the side? In my opinion, yes. His international pedigree is superb and while I agree it is wrong for a player to be in the side purely on this basis, Shearer has the class to go with it and is still a force.

People are all too ready to jump on the back of someone who is the national captain. I thing he will leave the England set up with a series of fine performances during Euro 2000. A tally of 34 goals last season as a Premiership player in a side which hardly set the League on fire is quality.

We also cannot go into Euro 2000 with an inexperienced strikeforce. Shearer is the only striker who has played properly in a number of top tournaments. Okay, Michael Owen set the world on fire at France 98, but he's still on his way back from injury. Quite simply, Shearer has to play.

But I would go for Owen to partner him. His pace is electric and there have been signs that he and Shearer are starting to understand each other.

You may say Heskey also has the pace, but where's the finish? Robbie Fowler is clearly unfit and Kevin Phillips, although racking up 30 Premiership goals and the Player of the Year award, is not quite an international performer.

How will England do? I can see the Three Lions reaching the Semi-finals. Optimistic maybe, but let's hope for some of that spirit and desire which we saw during Euro 96 and France 98.

Dale Johnson's England Team

G Neville Beckham

Adams Ince Shearer

Martyn

Keown Scholes Owen

P Neville Barmby