England boss Steve McClaren decided to play Liverpool star Steven Gerrard on the right side of midfield in place of the omitted former captain David Beckham. McClaren left Beckham out of the England team for the Greece friendly game, claiming that the Real Madrid man doesn't fit in his future plans for the team. "I spoke to Gerrard about his new role, and he confirmed that he'd be glad to play on the right side or any position for the English team," Steve McClaren was quoted as saying by BBC Sport on Tuesday. "I talked to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and he supported my decision as he also deployed Gerrard on the right wing at some parts of last season." With Gerrard lifting to a right flank role, McClaren is expected to play with either Owen Hargreaves or Michael Carrick alongside Frank Lampard in the centre of midfield, with Middlesbrough prodigy Stuart Downing on the left for the injured Joe Cole. Meanwhile, McClaren's preparations for the Greece game received a blow after West Ham United striker Dean Ashton was injured in training which makes him very likely to miss the game.
