New McClaren era begins with a bad break

International Friendly England v Greece: Steve McClaren got his first taste yesterday of what it is like to be England manager when his plans were disrupted. On this occasion, though, no selfish club was to blame for snatching an important player from him. Indeed his regret was superficial compared to that of the forward Dean Ashton, who broke his ankle in training.

The friendly with Greece at Old Trafford tonight would have been the West Ham forward's international debut. The severity of the damage came as a shock. McClaren could only explain that the 22-year-old "went over on his ankle". The captain John Terry said: "We just heard a moan from Dean and we all looked round." It later transpired that it was due to an accidental collision with Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Such an episode could provoke club lamentation about international friendlies before the domestic season has even started in earnest, but these incidents can occur wherever a footballer goes. Ashton may struggle to return to first-team action in 2006.

The incident was ironic since it comes as McClaren strives to form a closer relationship with clubs than his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson enjoyed. McClaren understands that the gulf between the performances given by players in the Premiership and those they offer at international level is a major concern. That topic underpins the team selection he has made, in which Steven Gerrard will take up the post on the right of midfield held by David Beckham before McClaren dispensed with him.

"Blend and balance was the first thing I was trying to get," said the manager, who will have the orthodox winger Stewart Downing on the left flank.

"We have such a short space of time to plan for this game that I wanted to put the players in the positions they play for their clubs. I like width on the left and I like a narrow midfield. Stevie has played on the right-hand side for Liverpool."

The subject is more labyrinthine than McClaren acknowledges. Gerrard has indeed been in that area on many occasions but Rafael Benitez conducted a frustrating search for a player who could be picked there instead.

He seems to have got his man with the purchase of Jermaine Pennant. It was circumstances that sent Gerrard to the flank rather than any preference by the Anfield manager.

While the Liverpool captain will not revolt he may be underwhelmed by the assignment. Prior to training yesterday McClaren was in deep conversation with Gerrard. At the least, the midfielder will have to be persuaded of the benefits.

An international manager generally has to nudge the odd individual into a fractionally unsuitable position but McClaren is keen mostly on a common sense approach.

If Frank Lampard and Gerrard are no longer beside one another, for example, it is because there is now an obligation to include Owen Hargeaves.

"The emergence of Owen has really, I think, improved us," said McClaren, who is eager to keep his system simple.

The manager even volunteered an interest in the deeply unfashionable 3-5-2 system. "I think we've got great players," he said. "We're a good team. We need to become a great team."

England's potential was definitely not realised at the World Cup.

The manager agrees he has to "remove the shackles" and "the fear that may be there because of all the expectations". He is out "to create a Team England".

Venue: Old Trafford Kick-off: 8.05pm On TV: BBC 1

ENGLAND: Robinson (Tottenham), G Neville (Manchester Utd), Ferdinand (Manchester Utd), Terry (Chelsea, capt), A Cole (Arsenal), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Lampard (Chelsea), Downing (Middlesbrough), Defoe (Tottenham), Crouch (Liverpool).