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ENGLAND v SPAIN - FOSTER & WOODGATE START FOR ENGLAND
Steve McClaren has praised the "strong mentality" of Jonathan Woodgate and Kieron Dyer in regaining their places in the England team after lengthy injury lay-offs.
Central defender Woodgate, currently on loan to Middlesbrough from Real Madrid, played only a handful of games in his two years with the Spanish giants - mainly because of a thigh problem.
Newcastle midfielder Dyer has experienced similar frustration for the same period of time with a hamstring injury.
But they have both shown their quality in the north-east over the past few months and are named in McClaren's experimental side for tomorrow's friendly international against Spain at Old Trafford.
McClaren said: "Did I wonder if Woodgate would get back to this level? It's the same with Jonathan and Kieron. You always have those niggles and doubts because of the length of time people are out.
"I was at Newcastle and remember the game when Jonathan did the initial injury. He's been a really big loss to English football.
"But he's got a great opportunity now. He's been playing for the last six months on a regular basis at Middlesbrough - and as he's shown in the training sessions we've had this week, he's a very, very good player.
"He has a very strong mentality, and it's the same with Kieron. When anybody goes through that kind of injury for any length of time, it either makes or breaks you.
"It makes you stronger, tougher, a better character. You learn a lot about yourself; you learn a lot of things. I think Jonathan has done that, as well as Kieron."
McClaren admits he and his England players have a lot to prove after the disappointment of the World Cup and an up-and-down start to the European Championship qualifying campaign - but he insists it is not a make-or-break situation.
He said: "We've all got, ever since the World Cup and the disappointment of the World Cup, something to prove. That's me; that's the players; that's everybody involved with England.
"That's what we're determined to do. We see it as a big year, and I do see it as a big year because we start with a friendly against Spain and - we hope - finish it with qualification for the Euro 2008 finals. That's the aim.
"There are going to be many twists and turns along the way - but that's all we're concentrating on. We're not concentrating on me personally and whether it's a make-or-break year for me.
"That's irrelevant - me personally - what's important is this team getting qualification for next year's Euros."
England team to face Spain: Foster; G Neville, Ferdinand, Woodgate, P Neville; Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Carrick, Gerrard, Dyer; Crouch.
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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