Campbell to replace injured Terry for Estonia clash

Although John Terry's knee injury has shown encouraging signs of improvement, the odds must still be against him being fit enough to make the journey to Moscow next week.

Sol Campbel talks to England manager Steve McClaren during an training session at Arsenal's Colney training ground

It means that not only will Campbell, who has appeared at an amazing six major tournaments for his country, be required for tomorrow's theoretically comfortable home encounter with Estonia, he should also be needed when England put their qualification hopes on the line against Guus Hiddink's Russia next week.

Given the 33-year-old has already pulled out of two England squads this season with groin and hamstring injuries, missed training on Tuesday with an Achilles complaint and has not played twice in such a short space of time since January, it is little wonder the issue of Campbell's fitness is being raised.

However, McClaren cannot see a problem. And, having stated his intention to bring the Portsmouth veteran back into the England fold during the summer, the England coach is happy for his judgement to be tested.

"I am very confident Sol's body will get through two games," said McClaren.

"He is an experienced player who knows what training he needs.

"He has a regime he goes through with his club and we have no problem with that. I have no hesitation putting him in tomorrow."

Like David Beckham, Campbell - who has not actually started a competitive game for England in two years - was cast adrift by McClaren in the immediate aftermath of the 2006 World Cup.

But, as with Beckham, Campbell's performances at club level kept his name in the spotlight.

McClaren was committed to offering the former Arsenal star a recall even before Jamie Carragher announced his international retirement.

Yet, with the Liverpool man now missing, Wes Brown back at Manchester United with a knee injury, Jonathan Woodgate out of form and Terry finally giving way to the latest in a catalogue of injuries, Campbell was an obvious choice to partner Rio Ferdinand at the heart of an England defence which should not be unduly tested by an Estonia outfit that has picked up just four points in Group E so far, three of which came against the part-timers from Andorra.

"The competition for places at centre-half has always been strong and I just wanted to take an opportunity to look at other people," said McClaren of Campbell's axing.

"His reaction was exactly what I expected. He got on with his job of playing football, performed well at Portsmouth and now has an opportunity.

"We often talk about leaders who can add something to the team. Sol Campbell epitomises the leadership we are looking for."

With the Campbell issue sorted, McClaren must now decide whether to partner new skipper Steven Gerrard with Gareth Barry or Frank Lampard in the heart of England's midfield.

The smart money is on the Aston Villa man keeping his place, although it could be a close call.

"It is a massive decision, one of the toughest I have had all week," said McClaren.

"I am choosing between two players who have performed well for England. Frank has been extremely consistent over the last few years, while Gareth came in and performed really well against Israel and Russia last month."

With Nicky Shorey seemingly pencilled in to replace Ashley Cole - one of the players a booking away from being suspended for the Russia clash - McClaren's team is taking shape.

And, for the first time during his reign, he will have Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney together up front.

Although the pair have not exactly set the world alight when they have combined previously, Rooney appeared to shoulder most of the blame for that on Wednesday when he claimed that his performances for England over the last two years have been extremely disappointing.

And McClaren, in welcoming Rooney's assessment, has detected an obvious desire within the Manchester United man to start making amends, which will hopefully fire England into a five-point lead over Russia by tomorrow tea-time.

"Wayne's comments were very honest and should be applauded," said McClaren.

"It is refreshing for a player to say he is disappointed with his own performance. There should be more of that.

"He is not making excuses. He knows what potential he has got and he knows what he needs to do to realise it.

"Wayne Rooney has the potential to be a world-class player. He still has a long way to go and a lot to learn but he has proved over the years he is a very important player for England and he can do it.

"In his defence, he has been a little unfortunate with England because he has missed so many squads through injury or has been coming back from injury, so he has not had the consistency you need to get your form and fitness.

"That has hampered him but the prospect of him playing in the same team as Michael Owen excites me a lot."