Cole Injury Forces Mcclaren Into Reshuffle for Moscow

Steve McClaren was forced into an uncomfortable defensive reshuffle yesterday after Ashley Cole was ruled out of England's Euro 2008 qualifier in Moscow. The England manager called the Middlesbrough full-back Luke Young into his squad for Wednesday's match which, if won, will confirm England's place in the Euro 2008 finals tournament.

McClaren had intended to assess Cole's situation in Altrincham this morning before the flight to Moscow but it became evident yesterday afternoon that damage to his ankle would prevent him travelling. The news comes as a particular blow with England also having concerns over the fitness of the captain, John Terry, whose knee cartilage damage is the most troublesome of his three separate injuries.

McClaren had been so keen to protect Cole ahead of the Russia game that he was due to withdraw the Chelsea defender from the action within minutes when he sustained the injury in a collision with Estonia's Kaimar Saag during England's 3-0 win on Saturday. McClaren had considered resting Cole, Terry and Rio Ferdinand from the game to shelter them from the suspension that would have arisen had they been booked.

With Nicky Shorey and Phil Neville available it was not expected that anyone would be called in to the squad. However Young's call-up might reflect the disappointing debut of Joleon Lescott, who was a half-time replacement for Ferdinand.

Losses further up the field might have been harder to cope with and it was to McClaren's relief that Frank Lampard and Michael Owen, both recent injury victims, came through Wembley unscathed. The England manager will prepare a 4-3-3 formation in training today, with Gareth Barry anchoring the midfield between Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who will continue as captain if Terry does not recover.

England finished Saturday's fixture in that formation and McClaren confirmed his intention to persevere this week. "We looked at that for 20 minutes," he said. "Obviously, if we do go that way, it needs some work. That's the preparation. It more or less started at half-time and we carry it on."