10 World Cup superstar substitutes

Successful World Cup squads are as much about the the 12 substitutes as the 11 men on the pitch (or so the players who don't get picked to play would tell us). Allow Bratwurst to give you the run down on 10 likely big-name bench-warmers (and we don't mean Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink).

10 World Cup superstar substitutes

1 Oliver Kahn

The most well-known World Cup substitute, mainly because his coach announced he would not be first-choice two months before the start of the tournament. Kahn has 85 caps compared to Jens Lehmann's 31, but it will take injury or suspension to Lehmann if he is to add to that haul this summer.

2 Robinho

Robinho's chances of starting in Germany, like his frame, are slight. The quinteto magico will be cut down to a quartet and the kid from Real Madrid will be the one to miss out. Could turn a game if he is called on with 15 minutes to go (that is assuming Brazil will actually need any games turning!).

3 Raul

Fernando Torres and David Villa are Spain's in-form strikers, which could mean Raul has to settle for a place on the bench. Coach Luis Aragones has said his skipper is not guaranteed his starting place and so it may prove. The country's all-time leading goalscorer - who is unbelievably still just 28 - may have to look on as the two younger players get the nod.

4 Simao Sabrosa

Chelsea and Liverpool have both been linked with moves for Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa this summer, and he might be available to take phone calls from suitors even during matches. Big Phil Scolari is likely to start with an attacking midfield triumvirate of Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco and Luis Figo, which means bench-time for Simao.

5 Sol Campbell

At the start of the season he was a dead-cert to start in Germany. Rio Ferdinand was dropped by Sven Goran Eriksson and a Terry-Campbell World Cup partnership was expected. It has gone infamously pear-shaped for Sol since then. It seems Campbell will only be called upon in an emergency now.

6 Louis Saha

Poor old Louis Saha has just get his head around starting matches in place of Ruud van Bullyboy at Manchester United, but it's back to the bench for France. Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet should keep Saha out of harm's way.

7 Pablo Aimar

He was once Argentina's bright young thing but Pablo Aimar seems to have gone off the boil a bit. Aimar is another player linked with a move to Liverpool - a snip at £5 million down from £13.6 million. As we have already seen though, possible transfers to Anfield don't get you a place in a World Cup team.

8 Cicinho

Real Madrid's wandering nomad of a right-back is second choice for Brazil. In fairness Cafu is captain, has won two World Cup's and can actually defend, which is always something I look for in a defender.

9 Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas has been in outstanding form for the second-half of this season, but Aragones is likely to favour Xabi Alonso and David Albelda as his first-choice central midfield pairing. Fabregas' time will come though.

10 Ahn Jung-Hwan

Ahn made a name for himself at the last World Cup, but it has been downhill since then. South Korea's former golden boy might have to content himself with life in a tracksuit this time.

Rob Parker