McClaren Drops Barton and Barry From 23-man England Squad to Face Israel and Andorra

Joey Barton and Gareth Barry were the main casualties as Steve McClaren gave his England squad a spring clean ahead of the crucial Euro 2008 double-header against Israel and Andorra.

Despite not being any more ineffective than the rest of the team in the recent friendly defeat to Spain, neither man has made McClaren's squad for England's first competitive fixture since the inglorious loss to Croatia in October.

Barry's omission in particular is a slight surprise in the 23-man squad, given Ashley Cole - who is selected - is suspended for the Israel encounter and his regular left-back deputy, Wayne Bridge, is injured.

McClaren confirmed Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville are battling for the defensive berth from a squad where 13 players are due to play twice in 48 hours over the weekend, culminating in FA Cup quarter-final replays on Monday.

McClaren has already joked he will be watching the replays "with his eyes closed" fearing the damage the extra fixtures could cause to his planning.

Having slipped to third spot in Group E, England need to pick up at least a point in Tel Aviv to ease the pressure on McClaren and retain a realistic hope of reaching next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Of the line-up which started against Spain at Old Trafford, only four players are likely to keep their place when England look to follow Croatia's lead by beating Israel on their home turf.

Peter Crouch is injured and Shaun Wright-Phillips has been given the boot, although given his lack of first-team appearances at Chelsea, it is surprising the winger was picked at all.

Michael Carrick, Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer and Ben Foster can expect places on the bench at best, unless McClaren thinking dramatically alters over the next week.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson has already been guaranteed a recall, while his White Hart Lane team-mate, Aaron Lennon, seems certain to occupy the left-sided spot in a four-man midfield which will see Steven Gerrard start on the right.

Rather than inhibit the Liverpool skipper, McClaren feels the move offers Gerrard the freedom to attack, especially now Owen Hargreaves is back to patrol behind him.

England squad to face Israel: Robinson (Tottenham), Foster (Manchester United/Watford), Carson (Liverpool/Charlton), Gary Neville (Manchester United), Richards (Manchester City), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Woodgate (Real Madrid/Middlesbrough), Carragher (Liverpool), A Cole (Chelsea), Phil Neville (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Parker (Newcastle), Carrick (Manchester United), Dyer (Newcastle), Downing (Middlesbrough), Johnson (Everton), Rooney (Manchester United), Defoe (Tottenham), D Bent (Charlton).