• World Cup qualifying

Cleverley expected to make way for Gerrard

ESPN staff
October 15, 2012
Tom Cleverley has started all of England's World Cup qualifiers © Getty Images
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Tom Cleverley is expected to make way for Steven Gerrard as England make an anticipated six changes for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland.

Cleverley has started every qualifier so far in England's bid to book a ticket for the 2014 World Cup in Rio. However, Roy Hodgson has Wayne Rooney and Gerrard available for the first time in the campaign, which will likely force Cleverley onto the bench.

Hodgson is expected to line up with returning skipper Gerrard - back from suspension - alongside the deeper-lying Michael Carrick in midfield, with Rooney playing off a lone striker.

That striking berth is anticipated to go to Jermain Defoe, despite Danny Welbeck's two goals against San Marino. Defoe is seen as the more prolific option for a game when chances may be at a premium at Warsaw National Stadium.

If Defoe does not play, Andy Carroll may even find himself ahead of Welbeck in the pecking order, with Hodgson believing that Carroll's aerial threat could terrrorise the Poles. The big striker provides the added bonus of strengthening England when they are defending set-pieces against what is a powerful Polish team.

Cleverley spoke of his blossoming on-field relationship with Manchester United colleague Welbeck during Sunday's press conference, admitting the duo instinctively know where the other will be.

"We've known each other for many years now," Cleverley said. "I've been at the club since I was 11. He's been there since he was nine, so we've built up a relationship over the years, on and off the pitch. I feel comfortable playing with him."

Hodgson is without Frank Lampard, Ryan Bertrand and Theo Walcott on Tuesday, so James Milner will come in as a reliable right-wing option. Meanwhile, Ashley Cole will win the battle with Leighton Baines for the left-back duties.

Kyle Walker's injury makes it an easy decision for Glen Johnson to start at right-back, while Hodgson's biggest call could be whether to replace either Gary Cahill or Phil Jagielka with Joleon Lescott at the heart of the back four.

England enter Tuesday's qualifier on seven points from three games, and have only lost to Poland once - back in 1973. The home side will be without injured captain Jakub Blaszczkowski and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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