Steve McClaren is facing a major Euro 2008 defensive headache after Rio Ferdinand and Michael Dawson were ruled out of next week's crucial trip to Estonia.
With Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Jonathan Woodgate and Micah Richards already missing, it leaves McClaren without three of his four first-choice defenders, plus back up for both full-back positions, as Wayne Bridge is also a major doubt for Friday's friendly with Brazil at Wembley.
McClaren will be forced to play mix and match at the back, with Liverpool's Jamie Carragher and Tottenham's Ledley King vying for the right to partner skipper John Terry in central defence.
If Carragher gets the nod, Phil Neville is almost certain to step into the right-back role.
And, while McClaren believes Bridge should have recovered from his hip problem in time to face Estonia, the acute injury problems affecting the England camp now make Reading's Nicky Shorey a virtual certainty to earn his first full cap against Brazil.
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