30-05-07

Steve McClaren is facing a major Euro 2008 defensive headache after Rio Ferdinand and Michael Dawson were ruled out of next week's crucial trip to Estonia.

With Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Jonathan Woodgate and Micah Richards already missing, it leaves McClaren without three of his four first-choice defenders, plus back up for both full-back positions, as Wayne Bridge is also a major doubt for Friday's friendly with Brazil at Wembley.

Ferdinand has been struggling for some time to shake off the groin injury he picked up in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final win over Watford last month.

Although he was able to return for the Red Devil's successful title run-in and complete the entire 120 minutes in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea, the 29-year-old was not comfortable and after missing training yesterday, McClaren accepted there was no point pushing the former West Ham skipper any more.

The same is also true of Dawson, who thought he had done enough in the England B win over Albania in Burnley last Friday to force himself on to the bench in Tallinn.

Instead, McClaren will be forced to play mix and match at the back, with Liverpool's Jamie Carragher and Tottenham's Ledley King vying for the right to partner skipper John Terry in central defence.

If Carragher gets the nod, Phil Neville is almost certain to step into the right-back role.

And, while McClaren believes Bridge should have recovered from his hip problem in time to face Estonia, the acute injury problems affecting the England camp now make Reading's Nicky Shorey a virtual certainty to earn his first full cap against Brazil.

For the England coach at least, the selection issues at the back overshadow the return of former skipper David Beckham.

The former Manchester United star will win his 95th cap - and his first since last summer's World Cup - in a familiar right-sided midfield role, with Steven Gerrard set to partner Frank Lampard in the centre and Joe Cole on the left.

Like Beckham, Michael Owen will return to the international arena after a long absence, with Alan Smith tipped to land the second striker's slot at the expense of Peter Crouch.