Carson: Set for first competitive cap

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England face Croatia at Wembley as prophet Steve McClaren looks to avoid the defeat which would surely signal the end of his rollercoaster reign.

McClaren always predicted this match would be the decisive one for his team, but few could have quite expected the manner in which it has come about.

Saturday evening saw McClaren's side go from Euro 2008 also-rans to potential qualifying group winners following a brace of surprise results.

Russia's 2-1 defeat in Israel ensured England only need a draw on Wednesday night, while Croatia's 2-0 loss in Macedonia means a two-goal win would take McClaren's men through to the finals as section winners.

But such have been the fine margins in this group, do not expect a comfortable evening's viewing, particularly given the topsy-turvy nature of England's campaign to date.

There has been a mix of comedy and drama over the past 14 months - not always in equal measure - and, with concerns over the state of the Wembley pitch, do not back against another freak goal.

Carson start

Paul Robinson, whose error helped Croatia to a 2-0 win in Zagreb last year, is likely to be left out with Scott Carson due to start, despite only making his England debut in the 1-0 friendly success over Austria on Friday.

David Beckham moved on to 98 appearances for his country against the Euro 2008 co-hosts, but is expected to be dropped in favour of Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

With Michael Owen picking up a thigh injury against Austria, McClaren has been given an easy way out of his midfield dilemma as he is set to deploy Peter Crouch as a lone front man, with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry in midfield.

Much of the goalscoring onus will fall on the shoulders of Crouch and, despite 13 goals in 23 international appearances, he has yet to score a competitive goal against a team placed higher than 75th in Fifa's current rankings.

Chelsea duo Wayne Bridge and Joe Cole will form the left side of the pitch and Micah Richards should continue at right-back, with Gary Neville still injured.

Rio Ferdinand is suspended, and with John Terry not fit to play, the central defensive pairing will be Sol Campbell and Joleon Lescott.

Relaxed

Croatia's qualification for the finals had already been assured by the time the two goals against Macedonia had been conceded and that could have been a factor in the defeat.

Slaven Bilic's side will certainly head to Wembley in relaxed mood and Croatia's coach has also assured Russia that his players will be performing to their best.

A Croatia win over England would allow Russia to qualify for the finals, providing Guus Hiddink's side do not slip up at home to Andorra.