England have defensive worries ahead of the Israel game

England have big defensive problems to sort out ahead of their crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel on Saturday.

Gary Neville is injured, Micah Richards hasn’t recovered from a shin injury he suffered in the game against Middlesbrough. That means that the two first choice right backs are ruled out.

Jonathan Woodgate has been ruled out of this game, although he may play the Andorra game. Ashley Cole is suspended for the Israel game. Cole is England’s first choice left back. That means that England only have 3 genuine centrebacks in Carragher, Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Playing only 3 at the back is not something I think McClaren will do again, especially given what happened against Croatia.
Gareth Barry and Luke Young have been given late call ups to the squad.

I’d expect Terry and Ferdinand to play at the centre, Carragher at the right and Neville or Barry to play at leftback. Carragher might play at the left too, and that means Neville or Young will play at right back.

Some other names that are being suggested for McClaren on fan boards and soccer forums :
Shorey, Baines, Dawson, Brown,Campbell

Some food for thought eh

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