Chance to impress for England hopefuls

Kevin Keegan has handed Steve McManaman the chance finally to express his talent on the international stage in a free role against Hungary - and called on the Liverpool star to lay to rest the ghosts of his flawed England career.

Keegan named two new caps in his side for today's friendly international, with Sunderland's Kevin Phillips forming a North East strike-force with Newcastle's Alan Shearer. Manchester United youngster Wes Brown makes his debut at right-back, while Phil Neville and Rio Ferdinand have also been given the opportunity to press their claims for a regular place in defence.

But with a central midfield trio of Nicky Butt, David Batty and Tim Sherwood, the stage has been set for the mercurial McManaman to roam at will behind the front two.

Many will see this as his best - and possibly even last - chance to cement a regular England spot and while Keegan was at pains not to heap too much pressure on McManaman, he has given him carte blanche to express himself.

The Liverpool winger is not the only player to have gained from the mass withdrawals from the squad, with Phillips also benefiting. The 25-year-old scored 35 goals last season and a further 23 this campaign despite being out injured for four months.

"He's very lively and he excites me. I think he's different to both Owen and Fowler, but the thing they've all got in common is that they score goals," said Keegan.

Craig Brown is emphatic that Scotland will again become a difficult team to beat. The national team manager is hoping the recovery process will slip into gear today when they face Germany in a friendly international at Weserstadion.

Scotland's hopes of a place in the finals of Euro 2000 received a setback last month with the Czech Republic winning 2-1 at Celtic Park.

Brown is the first to admit that they badly needs a striker in the mould of Alan Shearer but he remains typically upbeat, claiming the notion that Scotland are on the wane is well wide of the mark.

Brown's cause today has not been helped by the fact that he has lost five of his original squad through injury. The shortfall lies in midfield with John Collins, Craig Burley, David Hopkin and Billy McKinlay all sidelined. Brown is likely to revert to a 4-4-2 system with Everton's Scot Gemmill and Ian Durrant of Kilmarnock favourites for a place in the team.