McClaren set for big announcement

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Already McClaren has been informed by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez that Steven Gerrard will not play, even though the Reds captain is apparently able to face Chelsea on Sunday despite his broken toe.

Having declared his intention to call up John Terry, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and David Beckham in order to ensure they are part of the build-up despite recent lack of match practice, there is no reason to think McClaren will not try to persuade Benitez to let Gerrard link up as well.

After 12 months in the job, McClaren is acutely aware the team he has in his head right now is not the one likely to be available next week at Wembley.

But he wants to develop a 'Team England' ethos as the Euro 2008 qualifiers reach their pivotal stage, which is why the squad he announces today will be on the large side.

"The squad I have in my mind and the team I have in my mind now could very easily change before we meet up Monday - and it will do," he said.

"I know that. It has happened in the past and it will happen again. But what I want to do is establish a squad of players that we will use in the period until November. I do want players on the fringe but I also want to be able to stick with what we have."

In addition to Gerrard, Tottenham duo Ledley King and Aaron Lennon are also out, as are Manchester United's Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.

Much speculation surrounds Blackburn's David Bentley, who excelled in the B international against Albania in May but then caused immense frustration to Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce by withdrawing from his squad for the European Under-21 Championships at such a late stage he was unable to call in a replacement.

McClaren declared his intention to speak with Bentley before naming his squad although, with Shaun Wright-Phillips producing his best form since joining Chelsea two years ago, the former Arsenal wide man is not an automatic pick anyway.