McClaren's men are warned of Russian dirty tricks

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Estonian Andrei Stepanov believes the Russians will resort to dirty tricks before the Euro 2008 qualifier at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Steve McClaren's team were today training at Altrincham's training pitch at a school in Macclesfield on a similar surface to the one that awaits in Moscow.

But Stepanov, who was in the Estonia team which lost 3-0 to England at Wembley on Saturday and plays his domestic football for FC Khimki in Russia, said: "I don't think the English players will have experienced a pitch like this before.

"I played for three years with Torpedo Moscow in the Luzhniki Stadium.

"As far as I know, the Russians have prepared some surprises for England. I think they will make it as difficult as possible. Normally it is not the best pitch but they will make it even more tricky. They will put small pieces of plastic on it so the ball will bounce differently. It will be really difficult for the England team."

Stepanov believes that England's defence will struggle to cope with the pace and movement of the Russian strikers.

He added: "The Russian players are used to this pitch, and I think their strikers will try to get one on one with the England defenders and take them on.

"The Russian forwards are small and quick and they will try to take advantage of this. The England defenders are strong and powerful but maybe they are not so mobile."

England will train on the pitch tomorrow but other teams who have played there say the surface is watered before big games to make the ball zip around.

England midfield star Joe Cole tried to play down the controversy.

"The ball is still going to be round, it's 11 against 11 and there should be no excuses," he said. "I've played on Hackney Marshes in my time so I'm sure it will be better than that."

England will be without Ashley Cole after he suffered an ankle injury at Wembley. John Terry's knee will be assessed again before a decision is reached as to whether he should fly with the rest of the squad tonight.