McClaren to act over Carragher threat

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Steve McClaren will try to persuade Jamie Carragher not to quit international football after learning of the Liverpool defender's immense disappointment at being overlooked for last month's 3-0 win in Estonia.

Ledley King partnered John Terry in central defence in Tallinn and Wes Brown was preferred at right back, but McClaren has already had several conversations with Carragher in a bid to convince him that he remains an integral part of his plans.

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Carragher is expected to issue a statement today to clarify his position. It is believed he will stop short of retiring from international football but insist he is not prepared to continue being taken for granted as a bit-part squad player who can be left on the bench or switched between a number of different positions as emergency cover.

McClaren plans another face-toface chat with the defender before he names the squad for England's first game of the season, a friendly against Germany next month. The England boss is proud of his good relations with the players and hopes he can persuade Carragher to continue to make himself available.

Carragher has won 34 caps since his debut against Hungary in 1999, but has regularly been asked to represent his country at full back or even as a holding midfielder. He has been unfortunate to play in an era when England have a wealth of central defensive talent. Terry, Rio Ferdinand, King and Jonathan Woodgate all appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order for his favourite position.

McClaren opted for Brown at right back in Estonia, probably because he considered the Manchester United player a bit quicker, and more comfortable on the ball, in a game where England were expected to dominate possession.

Carragher's reliability and versatility, however, are great assets for McClaren, especially when the time comes to pick a 23-man squad for a tournament. But McClaren will first have to convince Carragher that he will have a more senior role in his plans, as well as ensuring England actually qualify.

But McClaren will first have to convince Carragher that he will have a more senior role in his plans, as well as ensuring England actually qualify.

The Anfield boss fielded only four senior players in Steve Finnan, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jermaine Pennant and Mohamed Sissoko, leaving a host of youngsters to impress.

Young Austrian striker Besian Idrizaj seized his chance, capitalising on Pennant's creativity to score three goals in 19 minutes, although it was still not enough for his ever-demanding manager. 'He scored three but knows it should have been four,' said Benitez. 'Idrizaj is a player with great talent. He needs to mature in some aspects, but we are happy with him and he could be a first-team player of the future.'

With Benitez still pursuing West Ham's Yossi Benayoun and also being linked with FC Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma, it was a timely performance by Pennant — admittedly against luckless young defenders from Wrexham. Benitez added: 'Pennant produced the kind of play I like, wingers going forward and crossing. He can do this job perfectly. 'On Benayoun, we must wait and see what happens. Maybe we could find another player, but with him I would be happy.'

The Liverpool boss confirmed that most of his big names will play at Crewe on Saturday, but fans will have to wait to see Fernando Torres in action, with the club's record signing due to join his new colleagues at their Swiss training camp the following week.

 

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