Middle man Barry back in business under the new regime

Under the previous England regime, established stars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and John Terry were picked regardless of form and fitness, but there are signs that head coach Steve McClaren is exploring a different route.

Gareth Barry spent most of Eriksson's reign in exile, but he emerged from the shadows last month to play a significant role alongside Steven Gerrard in England's Euro 2008 victories over Israel and Russia.

The Aston Villa midfielder lost hope of establishing himself alongside the country's leading lights, but his performances last month may have done enough to keep fit-again Frank Lampard out of the team at Wembley this weekend.

Barry made his debut under Kevin Keegan when he played against the Ukraine in 2000, but he won just nine more caps in the next six years and just of them under Eriksson, in friendlies against South Africa and Serbia & Montenegro in 2003.

How times change. Barry said: "For two or three years, I hadn't even made a squad so I felt that, under a new boss, my chance would come again and it eventually did.

"It's hard when you're in squad after squad and not being talked about in terms of playing. You just have to go back to your club, try to get your head down and do as well as you can. That's what I have done, but I had to wait for my chance.

"People have their own ideas and, when your name isn't mentioned for so long, you do give up hope. Under Sven, I gave up hope."

Barry was certainly not alone, but his stellar performances in last month's qualifiers, especially in the 3-0 destruction of Russia, suggest he can become a permanent fixture in the England team.

McClaren stumbled across the solution to England's problems in the centre of midfield when he paired Gerrard and Barry together, but Lampard's return from injury presents the head coach with a dilemma.

Barry operating at the base of England's four-man midfield gave Gerrard the licence he craves to support England's attack.

It is no secret that Gerrard would prefer to play alongside Barry and, although McClaren is leaning towards that partnership against Estonia on Saturday, he will put the decision off until tomorrow.

Barry, who was converted to a central midfielder by Villa manager Martin O'Neill, said: 'These are big games and, if I'm selected, I feel I can do the same job again. I think Steve McClaren realises that as well.

"I wouldn't say there's a big rivalry among all the players, but I'm playing as well as I ever have. Towards the end of last season, Martin O'Neill played me in the centre of midfield and my game has come on from that.

"One of the first things he said to me when he arrived at Villa 14 months ago was: 'If you stay here with me, you'll improve as a player and you'll eventually get your England call-up again'. He is someone you listen to and he has been proved right. That goes to show what a good manager he is.

"I've played 30-40 games for my club in one position, I'm settled in there and the team have done well. My game has come on as a result."

Barry's return to the England team is a remarkable transformation for a player who went to Euro 2000 to gain experience for what promised to be a glittering international career.

Villa spotted his potential when he was an associate schoolboy with Brighton, but his ability to play in a number of positions appears to have affected his England career.

That changed at a stroke when he was picked to play alongside Gerrard, who was his room-mate at Euro 2000, against Israel.

Barry said: "In international football, you have to be mentally strong. I kept it simple for the first 10 minutes and grew in confidence after that — it's the only way to start games when you're getting your feet back into it again.

"The last two England games have probably been the biggest of my career, but Russia will be the biggest if I play in it because of everything that's at stake.

"I've been in the centre for a while now so I didn't get nervous about playing in the position. It was great to play alongside Gerrard and now the manager has a big decision."

If Barry maintains the form he showed last month, the decision should be fairly straightforward.