Gareth Barry will continue in central midfield after the double blow of losing both Frank Lampard and Owen Hargreaves struck England.  Lampard returned to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground over the weekend, whilst it was only today that a fitness test ruled Canadian-born Hargreaves out of tomorrow’s tie with Russia.

It’s a massive bonus for Barry, whose close friendship with Steven Gerrard enabled him to form an effective partnership with the Liverpool midfielder on Saturday.

The big doubt remains over who will partner Michael Owen upfront.  Emile Heskey impressed against Israel, but with classier opposition less likely to be intimidated by the Wigan man’s awesome physical power, McClaren may opt for the superior guile of the wonderfully ironically-named Crouch.

Either way, it remains a must-win game for England.  No amount of injuries will excuse failure to qualify for Euro 2008.