Campbell set for England start
Sol Campbell looks set to return to the England fold
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Friday, 12, Oct 2007 08:54
Sol Campbell looks set for his first England appearance in almost a year and a half in place of John Terry tomorrow.
The Portsmouth defender looks likely to play alongside Rio Ferdinand at Wembley against Estonia in a game Steve McClaren's side have to win.
Campbell, who last played for England as a substitute in the 2006 World Cup clash with Sweden, appeared to have been cast into the international wilderness having not played since then.
But the 33-year-old's performances on the south coast have alerted McClaren to his resurgence and he was recalled to the squad last month only to be ruled out with injury.
Campbell's chance comes after it was confirmed yesterday that captain Terry will miss the Euro 2008 qualifier with a knee injury, but the former Arsenal centre-back has fitness concerns of his own.
He missed training on Tuesday with a troublesome Achilles and will be subject to an intense test of his fitness in training today.
Terry has yet to be ruled out of Wednesday's trip to Moscow to face group E rivals Russia, but McClaren will be hoping Campbell stays fit in case the Chelsea skipper cannot shake off his knee problem.
If Campbell has an injury relapse then Everton's Joleon Lescott, who has never before represented his country, could be drafted in for a unexpected international debut.
Manchester United's Wes Brown and Tottenham defender Ledley King are also out injured, while Liverpool's Jamie Carragher has retired from international football after being a fringe player for most of his career.
England are currently second in group E, three points behind leaders Croatia and two points ahead of Russia in third after a 3-0 win over Gus Hiddink's side at Wembley last month.