Liverpool's Steven Gerrard will play on the right side of midfield in England's friendly against Greece tomorrow, new coach Steve McClaren said today when naming his first team selection.
The move leaves Frank Lampard as the dominant attacking midfielder, with Owen Hargreaves in a holding role and Stewart Downing wide on the left.
West Ham United striker Dean Ashton, who was hoping to make his international debut, broke his ankle in training and is out of the squad.
McClaren has named Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch as his strikers.
"It is an evolution, we are trying new things and we are just looking at one or two different things and the shape of the team is one thing," McClaren said.
Hargreaves, meanwhile, has invited Premiership clubs to sign him before the transfer window closes.
The Bayern Munich midfielder believes a switch to the Premiership would boost his hopes of cementing a regular place in Steve McClaren's team.
And, after a series of outstanding performances in the World Cup finals, Hargreaves realises that demand for his services may never be higher.
Manchester United have been linked with a move and Tottenham are long-standing admirers of his energetic style.
"I said in the past it would be a great opportunity to play here but so far it hasn't worked out," said the 25-year-old.
"There's not much more to say on the topic except I would love to receive the opportunity. I have a contract at Bayern for the next four years but anything's possible. We've seen that in the past.
"I can't say what will happen between now and then but with the way the World Cup went for me, more English teams have seen what I can offer."
England (v Greece): Paul Robinson; Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry (captain), Ashley Cole; Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Frank Lampard, Stewart Downing, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)