I cannot believe that England has sunk so low that she has to play Phillip "oh-it's-another-penalty' Neville at left back and have fans calling him the 'better' alternative... but that's just me

I seriously don't like Lampard playing.You know in the Germany World Cup last year,he got the most shot than any other player and you know what?End up without begging a single damn goal!whaattt the foookk!!??Go for Barry!:D

Lescott... it WAS his fault that Ashley Cole got injured, no two ways to put it... down to inexperience perhaps... sadly for me the natural choice for left back is now Gareth Barry, sadly Hargreaves is out injured, so there's no replacement for Barry in CM...

With the most important game England have faced since Steve McClaren was appointed looming, fans all over the country should be relieved the 'right Cole' got injured against Estonia last Saturday.

Although Ashley Cole and his runs on the left will be definitely missed on the Russian artificial pitch on Wednesday, the presence of an in-form Joe Cole could once again be the key to England's success.

The Three Lions are unbeaten in normal play over the last three years when the Chelsea midfielder has started in competitive games.

Competitive games since Aug 2004  Cole started  Cole did not start     
Wins  12  6   
Draws  2  3   
Losses  0  2   
Win %  85.7%  54.5%

He has played in the last four competitive games and England won all of them with the same score line, 3-0, with the most convincing performances since the ex-Middlesbrough manager took over two years ago.

Player  Joe Cole
Appearances  4
Minutes On Pitch  344
Goal Attempts 
Goals  1
Shots On Target  3
Shots Off Target  5
Passing 
Goal Assists  2
Total Passes  184
Pass Completion %  84%
Crossing 
Total Crosses  18
Cross Completion %  22%
Dribbling 
Dribbles & Runs  14
Dribble Completion %  71%
Discipline 
Fouls  7
Yellow Cards  2
Red Cards  0

Four England fans were taken to hospital after being injured ahead of the clash against Russia, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said.

Two have already been discharged and the remaining two are expected to be released from hospital in Moscow later on Wednesday.

They suffered minor injuries in a fight on Tuesday night, an FCO spokesman said, although he could not confirm whether they were attacked by rival football supporters.

Officials from the British embassy in Moscow are on standby in case of further trouble around the crunch game, which kicks off at 4pm.

The FCO spokesman said: "As with every international match, a lot of liaison does go on between the relevant policing authorities, the football associations and other interested parties so that everything runs smoothly and with the minimum of incident.''

Nice list of players... 

Aiyaa, Lampard sub again... 

lampard is sub again? it's on the tv now? sob sob... no tv to watch here..