England v Greece
International Friendly
8.05pm, Wednesday 16 August 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
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15 August 2006
Steve McClaren press conference

The England Head Coach named his side a day early, including Jermain Defoe and Stewart Downing.

Steve McClaren unveiled his first England starting eleven ahead of the Greece game, and welcomed back Jermain Defoe into the fold.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker will make his first start for the Three Lions since August last year and McClaren is confident he can grasp the opportunity.

McClaren said: "Jermain has always impressed me, he's a confidence player and he likes to know where he stands.

"He might feel he has something to prove and he has an opportunity tomorrow night to show what he is capable of.

"If we can get the ball to him in the right areas he can be very dangerous."

Defoe's strike partner was all set to be Dean Ashton, but after suffering a cruel blow in training the West Ham forward misses an early opportunity to stake a claim in McClaren's plans.

McClaren confirmed: "Dean Ashton was going to play before getting injured this morning so it's a double blow for the lad.

"He joined the squad and was looking forward to the game but unfortunately he went over on his ankle this morning.

"It's always sad when a players suffers an injury and I think it's clouded the morning for everyone."

Despite the obvious disappointment for Ashton, McClaren is excited by the players who will be looking to impress at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Steven Gerrard will be playing a different role for England, while Stewart Downing will be making his first start for the Three Lions.

"I always like to play with width and Stewart Downing gives us that width and balance on the left-hand side.

"I always wanted to try Steven Gerrard playing from the right in a role he has played before for his club.

"He scores goals when he plays there and I spoke at length with Rafa Benitez last week about it. This is just one role he can fill for us."

With McClaren sending his team out for the first time as Head Coach, the players will know that this will be their first chance to prove what they can do.

By naming his team a day before the match the players can now fully focus upon what is required of them and it is sure to be an exciting match.

McClaren always paid tribute to his assistant, Terry Venables, for helping create an atmosphere to prepare the players for the challenge.

"It's been fantastic to have him here, everyone that knows Terry knows he has a great personality and a lot of ideas," said McClaren.

"We think along the same lines and he is a great man to bounce ideas off. He's a football person and he has a lot to offer the team."

Stay with TheFA.com for the start of the McClaren era at Old Trafford on Wednesday.