England turn to Sol for Estonia qualifier

Updated 16.06 Fri Oct 12 2007

Keywords: Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen, Gareth Barry, Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard, John Terry, England, Wembley, Steve McClaren, Euro 2008, football, sport

Steve McClaren is to turn to Sol Campbell to deputise for John Terry at the heart of England's defence against Estonia at Wembley.

Terry has been ruled out of Saturday's Euro 2008 Group E qualifier after suffering a knee injury during training on Wednesday.

"To be able to call on someone with that experience, that quality, that is tremendous. His reaction has been excellent, as expected" - Steve McClaren

The Chelsea centre-back was sent for a scan but the problem area was so swollen, it was impossible to come up with a proper diagnosis and he could now be facing a race against time to be fit for next Wednesday's clash with Russia in Moscow.

Campbell will win his 70th cap for his country against Estonia, two years after his last competitive start for England.

And McClaren said of the Portsmouth defender: "To be able to call on someone with that experience, that quality, that is tremendous. His reaction has been excellent, as expected. "

He added of Terry's chances of lining up for England on the plastic pitch in Moscow: "His knee settled down and we'll hope it settles down in the next two days and we'll make a decision on Monday."

With Terry sidelined, Steven Gerrard will lead his country for the first time in a competitive match.

And the talismanic Liverpool skipper believes his potenial midfield partner Gareth Barry would be justified in feeling "hard done by" if he is axed to make way for Frank Lampard at for England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia.

The stand-in England captain, who played with Barry as England beat Israel and Russia at Wembley last month, said: "Gareth was fantastic in both games and I'm sure he'll feel hard done by if he was dropped. He was man of the match in those two games."

He added of McClaren's midfield dilemma: "It's not about individuals, we are concentrating on the team. Whatever team the manager picks it's all about going out there and picking up the three points, that's all we're interested in.

"I have played well for England alongside Frank. They are both great midfielders. Unfortunately for Frank, he has had an injury and missed a lot of football. Gareth has come in and done well. That's the headache the manager has got."

McClaren has admitted he faces a "massive decision", with the Aston Villa man appearing to be in pole position after stepping in following the Chelsea player's recent injury problems.

The England boss said: "It's a massive decision but a good one to be in to have two players who have performed well.

"Frank Lampard has performed consistently over the years, Gareth Barry has come in to the last two games and done well."

Gerrard is backing Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney to form a lethal strike partnership as England go in search of their fifth successive Group E victory as they bid to win the race to qualify for next summer's European Championship finals in Switzerland and Austria.

He added: "People who are doubting that combination, I can't really understand that. I think they're a great partnership... I think a goal is only around the corner (for Wayne Rooney)."