McClaren Keeps England Team Under His Hat
England v Croatia
Wembley, London
Wednesday 21 November
Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC One & BBC Radio 5 Live (commentary on BBC Sport website for UK users only); Coverage on BBC Sport website
England boss Steve McClaren is playing his cards close to his chest ahead of the vital Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.
McClaren must decide whether David Beckham keeps his place and if Paul Robinson replaces Scott Carson in goal.
Beckham started in Austria but could lose out to Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Gareth Barry and Owen Hargreaves are pushing for recalls in what is expected to be a five-man midfield, with Peter Crouch on his own up front.
McClaren said he would tell the players his starting line-up on Tuesday at 1830 GMT.
“I know my team and I have done since the weekend but I am not going to reveal it and I am not giving any clues,” he said.
McClaren did say he valued experience - but not necessarily in the starting line-up.
“Experience is key in big games - not just playing but on the bench and around the team,” he said.
McClaren has stuck by Spurs keeper Robinson throughout a rocky Euro 2008 campaign, but gave Carson his first start against Austria and could be tempted to keep faith with the 22-year-old.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Robinson should start and Beckham will also get the nod in a five-man midfield.
“He’ll pick experienced players, who know what it means not to make a mistake,” said the Frenchman.
“I still think he will go with continuity in goal and the whole country must be behind that because Robinson has delivered good games for England.
“I believe in this kind of game when you are manager, you are always tempted to play with a bit of security. That is why he will go with Lampard, Barry, Gerrard and Beckham.”
However, BBC Radio 5 Live correspondent Mike Ingham believes McClaren will drop both Beckham and Robinson.
“In the past McClaren has indicated early on that Paul Robinson will be his number one choice. He hasn’t done it this time and I have a hunch it will be Carson.
“I think Beckham will be seen as an impact player from the bench.
“England will play 4-5-1 when they’re defending and 4-3-3 when they have the ball and Beckham cannot play in a 4-3-3 because he doesn’t play high enough up the pitch.”
One player who will definitely not feature is John Terry - although the England captain did take part in training on Tuesday.
“There has been a great uplift with the players coming in on Sunday and especially with John Terry coming in and training with the boys,” said McClaren.
“It’s always important to have all the players together. We’ll have John, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney together with us on Wednesday.
“We’ve started together and we’ll finish together.”
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