© EuroFootball.com
The coach of the England national football team, preparing for the European Championship qualifying matches against Israel and Andorra, Steve McClaren will have to make adjustments to the team lineup due to injuries.
It is almost certain that neither defender Garry Neville, who suffered a shin injury, nor Micah Richards, who is experiencing calf pain, will be able to play in the biggest Israeli port city Tel Aviv on Saturday or in Barcelona, where Andorra's national team plays their home matches.
There is also a question mark hanging over the safety of Aaron Lennon, who has recovered from a knee injury.
Furthermore, due to the unfortunate circumstances in the Premier League matches on Sunday and FA Cup matches on Monday, a few more national team members may be forced to withdraw, causing more headaches for the head coach.
"On Monday, thirteen players will be playing, so the lineup may change by Tuesday," said S. McClaren.
G. Neville suffered an injury in Saturday's match against Bolton, colliding with opponent Gary Speed. According to Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the right-back will have to rest for about three weeks.
However, there is a small hope that M. Richards, along with other players, will be able to join the training camp and undergo a medical examination there.
If S. McClaren is forced to do without them, the top contenders to play in the starting lineup in the full-back position would be the highly fit Jamie Carragher of Liverpool and Phil Neville, the brother of G. Neville, from Everton.
The center-back position should be filled by the recovered Rio Ferdinand, and Steven Gerrard will most likely take his place in the right midfield, forming a tandem with Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard.
Leading the attack will most likely be Andrew Johnson and Wayne Rooney, although they face stiff competition from Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe.
