England's new manager Steve McClaren suffered a minor setback today after new England striker Dean Ashton, who was brought into the England squad just last week by McClaren, broke his ankle. McClaren's first game in charge of England is a friendly against European Champions Greece at Old Trafford tomorrow. Ashton was expected to make his England debut, but McClaren may now opt to play Defoe up front.
John Terry also makes his debut as England's new captain tomorrow. McClaren has dropped former captain Beckham, who was captain since 2000, from the England squad entirely.
The probable team to play Greece -
Robinson, G Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Gerrard, Hargreaves, Lampard, Downing, Defoe, Crouch
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England's new manager Steve McClaren in training yesterday with Steven Gerrard.
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Steve McClaren named his first team as England manager after training at Old Trafford ahead of the friendly against Greece. But the selection was overshadowed by the broken ankle suffered by West Ham's Dean Ashton
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Ashton, who would have made his debut against the European champions, left training to go for a scan on the ankle before the FA confirmed the bad news.
"It is really disappointing when a young player is given his chance then he gets injured," McClaren said.
"We had done some work on Dean yesterday and did some more this morning, but these things happen in football. We are just very sorry to see this happen"
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England captain John Terry joined his team-mates for the session
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Terry, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch and Frank Lampard were given the day off yesterday, after Sunday's FA Community Shield
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McClaren's 25-man squad were all present as the new manager put them through their paces
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McClaren's assistant Terry Venables also cast a watchful eye over the side
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McClaren discussed tactics with Steven Gerrard, who he said would play on the right side of midfield.
"I have decided to have a look at Stevie on the right because he played there for Liverpool for the majority of last season and scored 23 goals," McClaren said.
"I had a good conversation with Rafa early last week and discussed the situation. I spoke with Stevie and he is delighted with that - he will play anywhere for England"
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New captain Terry led the players through the warm-up
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McClaren picked Jermain Defoe up front with Peter Crouch and Stewart Downing on the left side of midfield
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"It is an evolution, we are trying new things and we are just looking at one or two different things and the shape of the team is one thing. I am looking for the attitude when we don't have the ball and do have the ball, I am looking for possession and keeping the ball better than we have in the past," McClaren said
telegraph.co.uk
John Terry also makes his debut as England's new captain tomorrow. McClaren has dropped former captain Beckham, who was captain since 2000, from the England squad entirely.
The probable team to play Greece -
Robinson, G Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Gerrard, Hargreaves, Lampard, Downing, Defoe, Crouch
-------------------------------------------------------------------
England's new manager Steve McClaren in training yesterday with Steven Gerrard.
---------------------------------
Steve McClaren named his first team as England manager after training at Old Trafford ahead of the friendly against Greece. But the selection was overshadowed by the broken ankle suffered by West Ham's Dean Ashton
-----------------------------
Ashton, who would have made his debut against the European champions, left training to go for a scan on the ankle before the FA confirmed the bad news.
"It is really disappointing when a young player is given his chance then he gets injured," McClaren said.
"We had done some work on Dean yesterday and did some more this morning, but these things happen in football. We are just very sorry to see this happen"
--------------------------------
England captain John Terry joined his team-mates for the session
---------------------------------
Terry, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch and Frank Lampard were given the day off yesterday, after Sunday's FA Community Shield
----------------------------------
McClaren's 25-man squad were all present as the new manager put them through their paces
------------------------------------
McClaren's assistant Terry Venables also cast a watchful eye over the side
--------------------------------------
McClaren discussed tactics with Steven Gerrard, who he said would play on the right side of midfield.
"I have decided to have a look at Stevie on the right because he played there for Liverpool for the majority of last season and scored 23 goals," McClaren said.
"I had a good conversation with Rafa early last week and discussed the situation. I spoke with Stevie and he is delighted with that - he will play anywhere for England"
-----------------------------------
New captain Terry led the players through the warm-up
-------------------------------------
McClaren picked Jermain Defoe up front with Peter Crouch and Stewart Downing on the left side of midfield
------------------------------------
"It is an evolution, we are trying new things and we are just looking at one or two different things and the shape of the team is one thing. I am looking for the attitude when we don't have the ball and do have the ball, I am looking for possession and keeping the ball better than we have in the past," McClaren said
telegraph.co.uk