JamesTheYiddo
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2006
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Steve McClaren has tonight named his starting eleven for Friday's friendly in Austria and Scott Carson is set for his England debut.
Steve McClaren says he will use the friendly against Austria on Friday night to look at players and systems that could prove vital in what he still believes will be a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia next week.
Goalkeeper Scott Carson will make his international debut in Vienna, while Joleon Lescott comes in at the heart of defence alongside Sol Campbell.
David Beckham is also in the line-up in what will be his 98th appearance for the Three Lions, while Frank Lampard also comes in.
Lampard's Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge starts at left-back for his first appearance of the season, while up front, Michael Owen and Peter Crouch start together for the first time since June, when both scored in the 3-0 win over Estonia.
And McClaren explained: "We are looking for different things from this game and different personnel.
"Scott Carson has been around the squad for a long time. His performances for Aston Villa have been very good and I have said all along that this is an ideal opportunity for him to experience international football.
"Gareth Barry was excellent in the last three games and Frank Lampard didn't feature, but Frank's form for Chelsea has been a revelation since and he is playing some of his best football.
"We need Sol Campbell's experience in the centre. I think Micah Richards is important to us at right-back and he has shown that in some games - going forward he is very effective. But maybe at half-time or after 60 minutes we will move him inside."
England's Euro 2008 hopes are heavily dependent on Russia dropping points in Israel on Saturday, but McClaren believes that is more than feasible which means his side must be properly prepared for the clash with Croatia at Wembley.
"Hopefully results will go for us on Saturday and we will go into the Croatia game needing to win to qualify," he said.
"I have always thought that game would be crucial and I still believe it will be the case.
"I am positive at the moment. I always believed Croatia would be the crucial game and there is still a long way to go."
Starting Eleven
Scott Carson, Micah Richards, Sol Campbell, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard (c), Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch.
Steve McClaren says he will use the friendly against Austria on Friday night to look at players and systems that could prove vital in what he still believes will be a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia next week.
David Beckham is also in the line-up in what will be his 98th appearance for the Three Lions, while Frank Lampard also comes in.
Lampard's Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge starts at left-back for his first appearance of the season, while up front, Michael Owen and Peter Crouch start together for the first time since June, when both scored in the 3-0 win over Estonia.
And McClaren explained: "We are looking for different things from this game and different personnel.
"Scott Carson has been around the squad for a long time. His performances for Aston Villa have been very good and I have said all along that this is an ideal opportunity for him to experience international football.
"Gareth Barry was excellent in the last three games and Frank Lampard didn't feature, but Frank's form for Chelsea has been a revelation since and he is playing some of his best football.
England's Euro 2008 hopes are heavily dependent on Russia dropping points in Israel on Saturday, but McClaren believes that is more than feasible which means his side must be properly prepared for the clash with Croatia at Wembley.
"Hopefully results will go for us on Saturday and we will go into the Croatia game needing to win to qualify," he said.
"I have always thought that game would be crucial and I still believe it will be the case.
"I am positive at the moment. I always believed Croatia would be the crucial game and there is still a long way to go."
Starting Eleven
Scott Carson, Micah Richards, Sol Campbell, Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard (c), Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch.
