JamesTheYiddo
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2006
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England squad announcement on BBC Sport website & BBC Radio 5 Live at 1200 GMT on Friday
David Beckham looks certain be recalled to the England squad on Friday for the friendly in Austria and the final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.
England need to beat Croatia on 21 November and hope Russia slip up against either Israel or Andorra to reach for next summer's finals.
Under-pressure McClaren is again expected to be without captain John Terry and fellow defender Ashley Cole.
But Beckham, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Bridge are available after injury.
McClaren travelled to Los Angeles to meet Beckham and discuss his current condition with the fitness team at his LA Galaxy club in readiness for bringing the former England captain back into his squad.
Chelsea centre-back Terry recently underwent knee surgery, while club team-mate and left-back Cole has an ankle problem.
Both players were injured on international duty last time out with Terry missing the win over Estonia after picking up his injury in training.
He then aggravated his knee during training ahead of the defeat to Russia on 17 October and was expected to be out for three weeks.
Cole was injured in the Estonia game and faced a four-week spell on the sidelines.
Bridge should come in to replace Cole and take the place of Joleon Lescott, who played at left-back in Russia.
Rio Ferdinand, suspended for the Croatia game, is not likely to be considered but Micah Richards will almost certainly be included despite a recent injury.
The return of Hargreaves and Frank Lampard's sparkling recent form provide McClaren with a dilemma in midfield.
Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry have started the last two matches, but McClaren may decide to make changes.
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott had been touted for a recall to the squad, but he has instead been included in coach Stuart Pearce's under-21 squad.
England play Austria in the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna next Friday, 16 Nov, then face Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday 21 November.
David Beckham looks certain be recalled to the England squad on Friday for the friendly in Austria and the final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.
England need to beat Croatia on 21 November and hope Russia slip up against either Israel or Andorra to reach for next summer's finals.
Under-pressure McClaren is again expected to be without captain John Terry and fellow defender Ashley Cole.
But Beckham, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Bridge are available after injury.
McClaren travelled to Los Angeles to meet Beckham and discuss his current condition with the fitness team at his LA Galaxy club in readiness for bringing the former England captain back into his squad.
Chelsea centre-back Terry recently underwent knee surgery, while club team-mate and left-back Cole has an ankle problem.
Both players were injured on international duty last time out with Terry missing the win over Estonia after picking up his injury in training.
He then aggravated his knee during training ahead of the defeat to Russia on 17 October and was expected to be out for three weeks.
Cole was injured in the Estonia game and faced a four-week spell on the sidelines.
Bridge should come in to replace Cole and take the place of Joleon Lescott, who played at left-back in Russia.
Rio Ferdinand, suspended for the Croatia game, is not likely to be considered but Micah Richards will almost certainly be included despite a recent injury.
The return of Hargreaves and Frank Lampard's sparkling recent form provide McClaren with a dilemma in midfield.
Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry have started the last two matches, but McClaren may decide to make changes.
Arsenal striker Theo Walcott had been touted for a recall to the squad, but he has instead been included in coach Stuart Pearce's under-21 squad.
England play Austria in the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna next Friday, 16 Nov, then face Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday 21 November.
