Rooney England
Wayne Rooney will look to get on the scoresheet for England in their World Cup qualifier against MontenegroReuters

England head into their crucial World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley, confident that the in-form strike duo of Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge can deliver.

Two wins in the final two home games of the qualifiers and England will book their place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

England presently top the group with 16 points from eight matches, one more than Ukraine and Poland, and three ahead of  Poland, who they face on Tuesday.

Gerrard, who is set to equal Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record of 106, is confident England can come away with three points against Montenegro, particularly with Rooney and Sturridge back available from injury.

"It's because Rooney and Sturridge are available (we are happy)," Gerrard said with a smile. "But I think there's a confidence in the squad, but it's not over-confidence as we have respect for the two teams we are playing.

"But many times we've spoken about injuries and the players who are not avialable, so it's been a huge boost this week to have the majority of lads available.

"Training has gone well and that's why we are sitting here feeling confident."

Hodgson has a bit of a selection headache in midfield, with the manager set to choose one of Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Jack Wilshere to partner Steven Gerrard in the centre of the park.

"This has probably been one of the hardest selection weeks, with so many senior players available who haven't always been available," Hodgson said.

"Some of the younger players who we have brought in aren't just there to learn the ropes, either. They are making a serious knock on the door for a starting place.

"I've had to give it some serious thought but I now have my team in my head. I won't tell the team that until I've had chance to speak to individual players."

Team News: With Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out due to injury, Hodgson is likely to name his favourite James Milner on the right, with Danny Welbeck set to start on the left - two players who adhere to the Hodgson ethos of tracking back.

Leighton Baines will come in at left-back for the injured Ashley Cole, while Joe Hart is set to keep his place in goal despite some recent patchy form.

Montengero have doubts lingering over the fitness of Marko Basa, Miodrag Pekovic and Mladen Bozovic.

Where to watch

The match is schedule for a 12.30 p.m. (IST) start with live coverage on Star Sports. 

Expected lineups: England: Hart; Walker, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Wilshere; Milner, Rooney, Welbeck; Sturridge.

Montenegro: Poleksic; Jovanovic, Pavicevic, Savic, Volkov; Zverotic, Novakovic, Vukcevic; Kasalica, Vucinic, Jovetic.

Prediction: 1-0 England