BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX © All written site content is copyright ComeOnBoro.com 2004-2007, unless otherwise stated, and is not to be used without prior permission.	ENGLAND PROBABLE LINE-UP Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of England's opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra with a bruised toe. The Manchester United defender has not been able to train with his international team-mates this week, although manager Steve McClaren is hopeful the 27-year-old will be available for the second qualifying match against Macedonia on Wednesday. "We don't expect him to train (on Friday), he is continuing his rehab, he's back running. In this situation with a bruised toe in the beginning there is a lot of pain and then they heal rapidly within two or three days. So we're hoping he gets over it and will be available for Wednesday," McClaren told a press conference televised live by Sky Sports News. Ferdinand's inury means Wes Brown will step back into the England spotlight for the first time in 16 months - with McClaren convinced the defender has the temperament and character required for international football. Brown's appearance tally for his country will finally reach double figures, seven years after making his debut against Hungary as a 19-year-old. It was expected that the friendly in Budapest would be the first of many England caps for the Manchester United player but he has suffered a succession of injuries and has seen the emergence of John Terry, Ferdinand and Jamie Carragher. Now injuries to Ferdinand and Carragher have presented Brown with another opportunity and McClaren, who has chosen him ahead of Michael Dawson, is aware of his qualities from working with him when a youngster at Old Trafford. Brown, who last played for England against USA more than a year ago, will partner new skipper Terry as England look to maintain the feel-good factor brought about by the 4-0 post-World Cup triumph over Greece just over a fortnight ago. McClaren said: "I worked with Wes when he was a young lad coming through at Manchester United. He had great potential, had everything, reads the game, has good pace, can use the ball and is good in the air and aggressive. "But injuries have curtailed his career at Manchester United and I think internationally as well. "But the end of last season his performances were excellent and he has started this season very well. I had no hesitation in including him again. "I believe he has got the right temperament and the right character for international football." McClaren has challenged his players to maintain the standards shown against Greece and ensure England climb back up the footballing ladder after the disappointment of the World Cup quarter-final exit exactly two months ago, on July 1. He said: "Six points from two games with Andorra and Macedonia is the target. That is the expectation and we have to make sure we perform and attain that. It is going to be two games in which we need to treat both opponents with respect. "We need to do that because everyone knows in any professional sport upsets can happen. We have to make sure it doesn't during the next few days. "We're looking for a positive performance. I said before Greece that we are not as good as we think we are. We need to go up the ladder again after improving against Greece. "We need to become a great team. We're not that at the moment. Ultimately what we need on Saturday is a performance. We have to be patient. I've seen Andorra a few times and they could be tough to break down." McClaren is set to give another try-out to the Peter Crouch-Jermain Defoe partnership after they impressed up front against Greece. Crouch will be looking to maintain his excellent record of eight goals in 12 appearances for his country. McClaren said: "Peter Crouch's record is phenomenal at international level and he provides something different. When he's come on as a substitute he has impressed and when he's played from the start he has scored goals. "He played well with Jermain Defoe against Greece. Before that game people were worried about the strikers with Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney not available. "But Andrew Johnson has also done well. I've noticed a difference in him each time he has come away with us. The move to Everton has really lifted him." England (probable): Robinson; P Neville, Brown, Terry, A Cole; Gerrard, Hargreaves, Lampard, Downing; Crouch, Defoe. By Bettingzone.co.uk Used with permission. SEND THIS TO A FRIEND ENGLAND v ANDORRA & MACEDONIA MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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