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England v Spain: Wednesday, 7 February (2000 GMT)

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  • England v Spain: Wednesday, 7 February (2000 GMT)

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>McClaren eager to win back fans </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416>England v Spain: Wednesday, 7 February (2000 GMT)
    Live on BBC One, BBC Five Live and coverage on the BBC Sport website

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>McClaren is expected to start with a 4-4-2 formation against Spain</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    England boss Steve McClaren says he is ready to use the friendly against Spain as a platform to regain the faith of the country's fans.

    England went out in the last eight in the World Cup and have started poorly in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

    "We've all got, ever since the World Cup and the disappointment of the World Cup, something to prove," he said.

    "That's me; that's the players; that's everybody involved with England. That's what we're determined to do."

    <DIV class=avinline>England have not helped their cause since their exit in Germany as they have struggled to a 0-0 draw against Macedonia and lost 2-0 in Croatia in Euro 2008 qualifiers. </DIV>

    McClaren added: "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.

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sib606><DIV class=sihf></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    "That's irrelevant - me personally - what's important is this team getting qualification for next year's Euros."

    England are third in their group and travel to Israel and play Andorra in Spain next month in two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers next month.

    McClaren has drafted in some new faces to his squad to freshen it up with Joey Barton, Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer and Gareth Barry coming in.

    McClaren said: "The new players have certainly lifted the atmosphere, they have perked everybody up a little bit.

    "I wouldn't say the training has been any keener but off the pitch they've had a positive effect on the boys."

    Woodgate and Dyer will start at Old Trafford, with Ben Foster in goal for his first appearance in an England shirt.

    McClaren added: "It's a big night for everyone - for Ben, for Kieron, for Jonathan, for all of us. It's a big year and it starts here.

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>We couldn't get the ball off Spain the last time we played them <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>England boss Steve McClaren</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    "I've always admired Jonathan, he's a very good defender and he's been a revelation since he came back to the Premier League.

    "Ben will play to get the experience and that will be great for him. None of the other keepers have got the experience of Paul Robinson at the moment.

    "Kieron's performances for Newcastle since he returned from injury have been full of maturity and I'm looking forward to him showing that against Spain."

    McClaren knows England face a very good side on Wednesday and admits they must do bet
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

  • #2
    RE: England v Spain: Wednesday, 7 February (2000 GMT)

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>Keeper Foster given England start </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416>England v Spain: Wednesday, 7 February (2000 GMT)
    Live on BBC One, BBC Five Live and coverage on the BBC Sport website

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Foster will make his debut at the home of his parent club Man Utd</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    Ben Foster has been handed an England debut in the friendly against Spain.

    The Watford goalkeeper will start behind a defence featuring Jonathan Woodgate and Phil Neville at left-back.

    Wayne Rooney was not considered fit for selection and Aaron Lennon has been sent home with a stomach bug, so Shaun Wright-Phillips starts on the right.

    Liverpool's Peter Crouch will lead the line, with support from Kieron Dyer and an attack-minded midfield that includes Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

    Michael Carrick will anchor the midfield and is one of just four survivors from the team that drew against Holland in November, along with Gerrard, Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

    Foster, who is on loan at the Hornets from Manchester United, has been given his chance as boss Steve McClaren wants Paul Robinson's understudies to gain exposure to international football.

    The 23-year-old has jumped ahead of Scott Carson in the queue to challenge Spurs stopper Robinson and was also helped by Chris Kirkland pulling out of the squad with a shoulder injury.

    McClaren described the Old Trafford game as the "perfect opportunity" to blood Foster.

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sib606><DIV class=sihf></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    Wayne Bridge's absence through injury was expected to offer Gareth Barry the chance of a starting spot at left-back after a four-year international exile.

    But McClaren has opted to pick players in their club positions and Phil Neville won the vote, with Barry touted for a role on the left of midfield in the latter part of the game.

    It means the Neville brothers, with Gary recalled at right-back, will start in the same England team for the first time since Kevin Keegan's side crashed out of Euro 2000 to Romania.

    Middlesbrough centre-back Woodgate, who will partner former Leeds team-mate Ferdinand in the heart of the defence, earns his first cap since he lined up against Sweden in March 2004.

    While Dyer, who will win his 29th cap, has not played for his country since turning out in the 2006 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in March 2005.

    The Magpies midfielder could play as a support striker to Crouch or on the left of an attacking trio in a 4-3-3 formation, with Wright-Phillips on the right.

    Rooney limped out of United's 4-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday, but McClaren expects the striker to be fit for his club's weekend commitments against Charlton.

    <HR>

    England: Foster (Watford); Gary Neville (Man Utd), Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Woodgate (Middlesbrough); Gerrard (Liverpool, capt), Carrick (Man Utd), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Dyer (Newcastle); Crouch (Liverpool). </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

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    • #3
      RE: England v Spain: Wednesday, 7 February (2000 GMT)

      Karl (2/7/2007)<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh></DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416>

      <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV><DIV class=cap></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

      Foster, who is on loan at the Hornets from Manchester United, has been given his chance as boss Steve McClaren wants Paul Robinson's understudies to gain exposure to international football. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><DIV>
      </DIV><DIV></DIV><DIV>What a novel idea, eh Tilla? Meanwhile, our coaches couldn't give Sawyers or any of our other goalkeepers a run.</DIV>


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