Carson handed debut

First start for Aston Villa loanee; 98th cap for Becks

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 16th November 2007

Carson handed debut

Carson: Set for debut

England team to face Austria: Carson; Richards, Campbell, Lescott, Bridge; Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J Cole; Owen, Crouch

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England boss Steve McClaren has confirmed his side to face Austria on Friday and he has included former captain David Beckham and handed a debut to Scott Carson.

Beckham, who has missed the last four games for his country through injury following his recall from the international wilderness, will win his 98th cap against Austria in Vienna.

"He's always kept himself fit but tomorrow's game is important for him," McClaren told Sky Sports News.

As expected Carson, on a season-long loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, will make his first appearance for the senior side.

Experience

"He's been around the squad for a long time," McClaren said of Carson.

"He had a busy summer in the Under-21 tournament and his performances for Aston Villa have been very, very good.

"The game will be an ideal opportunity for him to experience international

football."

Richards at full-back

Micah Richards was expected to feature at centre-half alongside Sol Campbell - but he will remain at right-back with Everton's Joleon Lescott starting.

Chelsea's Wayne Bridge fills the left-back berth with team-mate Joe Cole ahead of him.

Fellow Blue Frank Lampard returns to the centre of midfield to partner stand-in captain Steven Gerrard, whilst Michael Owen will partner Peter Crouch in attack.

On Lampard's inclusion, McClaren added: "It's a friendly, so I'm looking at different personnel.

"Gareth Barry has performed excellently in the last three games but Frank's form since he has come back from injury has been a revelation - he has played some of the best football I've seen him play."

Comments (22)

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Callum O'rourke (Birmingham City fan) says...

McClaren is an absolute fool for dropping Barry. I know it was only at home against Israel and Russia but it was the best football we have played for years, really solid performances, and why? Because we had balance! It was no coincidence that Barry was man of the match in both games. If anyone deserves their place on the team sheet it is him with Gerrard and Lamapard fighting for the other place in centre mid, just because they play for the 'Big Four' does in no way merit a starting place in what should be possibly the best team in International Football. MacClaren you deserve the sack right now for being so spineless!!

Posted 14:15 16th November 2007

Lee Ashworth (Manchester United fan) says...

Bringing Lampard in is a mistake, for some reason he has more pride playing for Chelsea than England. The back four seems solid and the only problems I see are Crouch and Lampard. Should have used Barry and tried someone different for a friendly. Possibly Defoe? Maybe even give one of these hot youngsters a run like Lita or Cameron Jerome?

Posted 13:41 16th November 2007

Louis Ellul (Liverpool fan) says...

Changing a good combination like Barry and Gerrard I think is a big mistake.The more they play together the more they can understand each other. Everyone knows that Gerrard playing the free role gives more than 100% for his country. Lampard is a fantastic player but they play the same role and its either one or the other.

Posted 12:06 16th November 2007

Paul Baldwin (Aston Villa fan) says...

Oh dear, Oh dear. I'm suprised McClaren hasn't called on Alan Shearer yet!

Posted 11:56 16th November 2007

Seif Athman (Liverpool fan) says...

Friendlies against Austria, Germany & Brazil deserve better players then Beckham. There are good young lads who need exposure and they will perform. Brazil produce many young lads and they prove they can perform at that high level. But England are stuck with Beckham even for a friendly, there are scared to try new blood. Future will remain bleak unless new ideas with another Manager.

Posted 11:42 16th November 2007

Dan Pummell (Leeds United fan) says...

Good to see Carson getting his chance. Ive stood up for Robinson, but its just not working for him this season. Can't see why Barry isn't starting, looks like the usual problem is still there - Form doesn't matter its just who you play for. If you don't play for the "big four" you can't play for England. I don't have a problem with Lampard but everyone knows he just doesn't work alongside Gerrard. Also Austria are nothing like Croatia so whats it going to prove if Lampard and Gerrard do play well together? Nothing? thought so...

Posted 11:41 16th November 2007

Rich Stokes (Aston Villa fan) says...

As a Villa fan, naturally the news of Carson being included but Barry being dropped have me somewhat at odds and ends over our national team Head Coach. Naturally being a Villain makes me biased, but it seems every other England fan whose not a Chelsea supporter agrees Barry should stay, and since it's a friendly, why not give some of the younger lads a go? Of course, I'm mainly referring in particular to Ashley Young, who could easily make that left flank his own, Joe Cole has had plenty of opportunities now and as far as I'm concerned, despite a few rare good performances, he hasnt convinced me, and neither has Shawn Wright-Phillips. Ash has been superb this season, and he got a call up to the senior squad for a reason didnt he?

Posted 11:25 16th November 2007

Neil White (Leeds United fan) says...

Good choice in the keeper - James has had his chance and I think Robinson is not the same Keeper since he left Leeds (he had Nigel Martyn to compete with there). Wy not give half a game to Green. As for dropping Gareth Barry - what a disgrace. Its the old pals act that a few Managers do. He is picking too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Barry is the link that England have missed in years, keeping the shape of the midfield and allowing Gerrard the time, freedom and space to attack. He shouldnt pick Lescot as a full back - it wont work. There must be some quality right backs in the premiership. If not (and I hate to say this being a Leeds fan what about Phil Neville or Wes Brown) Im not too bothered about Beckham as right midfield as he probably needs the match fitness. Up front - should have been Beckford !!!

Posted 11:22 16th November 2007

Sam Pettit (Aston Villa fan) says...

Dropping Barry one game before Croatia simply underlines that McClaren lacks the footballing brain any manager needs. If anything Gerrard and Lampard should be vying for one spot in the midfield and Barry and other holding midfielders vying for the other. Barry and Gerrard together works, its as simple as that. Lampard and Gerrard are both attacking minded midfielders who want to get forward, and are given the opportunity at their respective clubs by the fellow holding midfielders, Essien for Chelsea and Mascherano for Liverpool. Barry is fantastic in that holding role, and proved that against Russia and Israel at Wembley. Bringing Lampard back into the side is going to take away the balance that Barry provided. What we need is an international team that doesn't assume they are garaunteed their starting places, and know they have to fight to wear the shirt, then we will see a bit more passion and commitment. If he starts Lampard and Gerrard against Croatia, I don't like our chances of making the tournament finals.

Posted 10:24 16th November 2007

James M (Manchester United fan) says...

I still dont understand as to why Steve Mclaren still thinks Lampard and Gerrard are the best centre midfield partnership - it has been proved time and time again that they cannot play together, granted they are our best two INDIVIDUAL midfielders but they cannot play in the same side. Bring back Gareth Barry or Owen Hargreaves (when fit) to play and play one or the other beside them!

Posted 10:23 16th November 2007

Ian Cullen (Liverpool fan) says...

Can anyone shed some light as to why McLaren keeps the faith with Lampard. He can't play with Gerrard (who is twice the player) and I do believe that Barry has been outstanding for england. he has forged a fanastic understanding with gerrard, so why mess with that, even if it is a friendly.

Posted 09:14 16th November 2007

Julia Stuedle (Southampton fan) says...

Play some members of the under 21 squad. England team for Austria match should be: Hart, Richards, Upson, Brown, Bridge, Surman, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young, Agbonlahor, Owen. The younger players deserve a chance as they top their group and the senior team under perform badly

Posted 09:08 16th November 2007

Lee Taylor (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I find it very hard to understand why we should be playing Beckham and Lampard in this friendly. The only reason can be to keep them happy. Mr McClarens job is not to keep the more senior players happy but to build a solid team, and playing players along side each other (who Perform) on a regular basis. The recent good performances came from playing some new players who seemed to have more passion and in preparation for this Wednesday we should be playing the same players to keep that bond going.

Posted 09:04 16th November 2007

Adam Baker (Arsenal fan) says...

If we ever needed reaffirming Mclaren is absolutely the wrong man for the job, we need not worry any longer. Lescott? Is he REALLY international quality? With Ferdinand & Terry out, surely playing Richards at centre back and one from Brown or Neville right back is the best solution. I'm not a rocket scientest and I definately don't earn £3million a year to make these decisions, but neither should McDonut

Posted 09:03 16th November 2007

Martin Russell (Aston Villa fan) says...

Who does McLaren think he's kidding by picking Frank Lampard and David Beckham. His statement of "I want to look at other personnel" stinks. If he doesn't know what Beckham and Lampard can do by now then he's not fit for the managers job in the future. How many times do Lampard and Gerrard have to play together before he says enoughs enough. Gerrard has played some of his best games for England with Barry alongside him. We all know its a friendly but continuitity is so important. Developing a better understanding is crucial. Lampard and Gerrard have never had an understanding, most football fans know that. As for Beckham, why not pick a good Sunday morning player because thats the standard he's been playing at since leaving Real Madrid. If friendlies are used to "look at other personnel" why not start with Bently and Young. Football fans will understand that thinking. No matter whose in charge of England, as soon as Beckhams around the so called "Elite Players" are soon back in the team. I've always wondered how long he's been running team Beckham England. When Ericksson and McLaren write their final autobiographies I'm sure we will find out. I still hope we qualify but I think it will take a miracle.

Posted 09:02 16th November 2007

Mark Haslam (Manchester United fan) says...

Great decision about Carson. He's a good keeper. Some say Green should be there but I personally think Carson deserves it more. Also Again bringing Beckham back is a good decision. Hopefully he will make an impact. Everyone is calling for Maclarens head because of the results but you can't moan about the teams he is picking. It's the world class players who are under performing, and it's been a huge problem with injuries aswell. I'm sure if all the players were fit they would be playing, but there not, and Maclaren always picks a team capable of beating any team on the planet, but it's not always his fault if they under perform. It seems like to me that the English players are putting there club first before country. As soon as the players get there morals right the quicker the team will perform.

Posted 08:47 16th November 2007

Lee Potter (Leeds United fan) says...

Why on earth do we still keep seeing Defoe's name in the England squad - he would clearly lack match practice now he is the 4th choice striker at Tottenham behind Berbatov, Keane and Bent. Don't get me wrong, I think he is a decent player, but like Michael Owen, he needs to play games not 20-30 minute cameo's. And England need players in form scoring goals - Beckford for England!!

Posted 08:41 16th November 2007

Dave Porter (Aston Villa fan) says...

How unlucky has Gareth Barry been. Lampard has been in form before but England were still unbalanced and one dimentional. Barry offers a variety of passes. I can understand change if the team is settled but he needs to build on before and add goals from upfront.

Posted 08:20 16th November 2007

Martin Jones says...

Had a feeling Barry would get dropped, WHY? because he isnt with a fashionable club. Why not try Barry and Lampard, this hasnt been tried, Gerrard and Lampard has, so how is this trying different personnel Maclaren has lost the plot. Barry is the only good thing to come out of the last few games.

Posted 08:14 16th November 2007

Abi Craig (West Ham United fan) says...

I really cant understand why McLaren continues to omit Robert Green from the England squad.Greenie has demonstrated time and time and again right from his performances from last season when he literally single handedly saved the Hammers from the drop to this season where he has again kept the Hammers insight of a top 6 finish,all this in front of a back four which isnt exactly the most water tight in the premiership. England will continue to underperform in the international arena if its hidden treasures are continuosly denied opportunities which they justifiably deserve.

Posted 06:54 16th November 2007
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