Former England captain Alan Shearer summed it up: "Never in a million years did we think we would be discussing whether Emile Heskey should replace Wayne Rooney".
That, though, is just the unexpected selection poser now faced by national team manager Steve McClaren.
Manchester United striker Rooney, however, is not the only former England regular who is now in danger of missing out on a place in the starting XI against Estonia at Wembley next month.
Here, PA Sport's Jim van Wijk takes a look at some of the big decisions ahead for the England boss.
WAYNE ROONEY - Currently fast recovering from another broken bone in his foot, the United striker would expect to be the first name on the team sheet for club and country when fit.
However, the former Everton trainee has failed to recapture the superb form he showed at international level during the last European Championships before suffering his first serious foot injury.
Rooney was not really ready to return during the ill-fated 2006 World Cup campaign - even if his presence lifted the whole squad, and indeed nation, while questions over his temperament still remain.
Not 22 until next month, time is still on Rooney's side.
And with 12 goals from 38 games, he is certainly a potent weapon for England - especially were it to be from the bench.
PETER CROUCH - Often thought of as the perfect impact player but, when Michael Owen and Rooney were injured, Crouch was suddenly the main goal threat for England.
A superb strike rate - 12 goals from 21 caps - speaks for itself, and the beanpole striker certainly gives the opposition defence plenty to think about.
Fulfils the 'big man' role in attack, quite literally, and can provide a similar link-up to Heskey but is not as mobile.
Crucially, though, he does not yet posses the same almost telepathic partnership with man-of-the-moment Owen as another of his Anfield predecessors.
DAVID BECKHAM - Such was the furore surrounding first his exclusion from the England squad and then subsequent recall, you expect Beckham will continue to feature in McClaren's plans.
But just how that will be is the burning question.
Former England skipper Alan Mullery feels the rejuvenated Shaun Wright-Phillips is a much better bet on the flank, attacking the full-back and delivering a cross into the danger zone.
However, Los Angeles Galaxy star Beckham - currently sidelined by injury - remains one of the finest ball delivers and free-kick experts around.
That, though, alone may not be enough to guarantee him a start anymore - but expect the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar to chalk up his 100th cap for England sooner rather than later.
FRANK LAMPARD - It has often been argued the Chelsea man - another hampered by fitness problems of late - could not play in the same side as Steven Gerrard.
A goal in the recent defeat to Germany went someway to silencing the Wembley boo-boys, but the performance of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry will not have gone unnoticed.
Lampard's slot in central midfield was already under pressure from the workmanlike Owen Hargreaves, but now it seems the competition has just got that much tougher.
OWEN HARGREAVES - The Canadian-born Manchester United man has been troubled by knee problems following his big-money move from Bayern Munich.
A regular performer for both club and country, Hargreaves came out of the World Cup as one of the few with any genuine reasons to be positive.
When fit, he would seem to complement Gerrard well, providing cover in front of the defence and breaking up play.
However, in Barry, England boss McClaren has another credible midfield option - but the United man will still fancy his chances of returning to the starting XI against Estonia next month if he can maintain consistent fitness levels.
GARY NEVILLE - At 32, many feel the best days of the Manchester United captain are behind him.
The right-back has spent six months on the sidelines because of an ankle problem, but is expected back in action with a fortnight.
However, in that time Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender, has proved a more than able replacement in the England team.
An athletic, youthful partnership is developing down the flank with Wright-Phillips, which could well leave Neville warming the bench when he does return to international action.
Manchester United striker Rooney, however, is not the only former England regular who is now in danger of missing out on a place in the starting XI against Estonia at Wembley next month.
Here, PA Sport's Jim van Wijk takes a look at some of the big decisions ahead for the England boss.
WAYNE ROONEY - Currently fast recovering from another broken bone in his foot, the United striker would expect to be the first name on the team sheet for club and country when fit.
However, the former Everton trainee has failed to recapture the superb form he showed at international level during the last European Championships before suffering his first serious foot injury.
Rooney was not really ready to return during the ill-fated 2006 World Cup campaign - even if his presence lifted the whole squad, and indeed nation, while questions over his temperament still remain.
Not 22 until next month, time is still on Rooney's side.
And with 12 goals from 38 games, he is certainly a potent weapon for England - especially were it to be from the bench.
PETER CROUCH - Often thought of as the perfect impact player but, when Michael Owen and Rooney were injured, Crouch was suddenly the main goal threat for England.
A superb strike rate - 12 goals from 21 caps - speaks for itself, and the beanpole striker certainly gives the opposition defence plenty to think about.
Fulfils the 'big man' role in attack, quite literally, and can provide a similar link-up to Heskey but is not as mobile.
Crucially, though, he does not yet posses the same almost telepathic partnership with man-of-the-moment Owen as another of his Anfield predecessors.
DAVID BECKHAM - Such was the furore surrounding first his exclusion from the England squad and then subsequent recall, you expect Beckham will continue to feature in McClaren's plans.
But just how that will be is the burning question.
Former England skipper Alan Mullery feels the rejuvenated Shaun Wright-Phillips is a much better bet on the flank, attacking the full-back and delivering a cross into the danger zone.
However, Los Angeles Galaxy star Beckham - currently sidelined by injury - remains one of the finest ball delivers and free-kick experts around.
That, though, alone may not be enough to guarantee him a start anymore - but expect the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar to chalk up his 100th cap for England sooner rather than later.
FRANK LAMPARD - It has often been argued the Chelsea man - another hampered by fitness problems of late - could not play in the same side as Steven Gerrard.
A goal in the recent defeat to Germany went someway to silencing the Wembley boo-boys, but the performance of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry will not have gone unnoticed.
Lampard's slot in central midfield was already under pressure from the workmanlike Owen Hargreaves, but now it seems the competition has just got that much tougher.
OWEN HARGREAVES - The Canadian-born Manchester United man has been troubled by knee problems following his big-money move from Bayern Munich.
A regular performer for both club and country, Hargreaves came out of the World Cup as one of the few with any genuine reasons to be positive.
When fit, he would seem to complement Gerrard well, providing cover in front of the defence and breaking up play.
However, in Barry, England boss McClaren has another credible midfield option - but the United man will still fancy his chances of returning to the starting XI against Estonia next month if he can maintain consistent fitness levels.
GARY NEVILLE - At 32, many feel the best days of the Manchester United captain are behind him.
The right-back has spent six months on the sidelines because of an ankle problem, but is expected back in action with a fortnight.
However, in that time Micah Richards, the Manchester City defender, has proved a more than able replacement in the England team.
An athletic, youthful partnership is developing down the flank with Wright-Phillips, which could well leave Neville warming the bench when he does return to international action.
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
World Cup favourites England have one gaping question left to answer
Rampant England reach Women's Euros final
