As England prepare for their most crucial five days of football for years, their camp has already said that their lengthy injury list is no excuse for failure.

With the next two games possibly deciding Steve McClaren’s England future, he needs to instil a sense of victory in his side.

With Lampard and Beckham definitely out, Owen Hargreaves also faces a late fitness test. So it’s welcome news that Steven Gerrard has been passed fit and the Liverpool midfielder will take up a starting place in the patched up midfield. Wright-Phillips is expected to start ahead of David Bentley and Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick are standing by for a place in the team.

McClaren will keep his faith with Paul Robinson in goal, despite his gaff which led to defeat against Germany, as the boss looks to record his first win at the new Wembley with a whole first XI on the sidelines, including Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, Sol Campbell and Ledley King.

In contrast, Israel have no huge injury list to contend with. Striker Roberto Colautti is their only major doubt with a calf strain and is likely to be replaced by Yaniv Katan if he doesn’t make the team.

Israel are ranked 33 in the world and have never made the European Championship finals but are unbeaten in competitive matches since their current manager took over the helm in 2005. They now travel to Wembley as joint group leaders, three points ahead of England having played a game more. And they’re full of confidence.

Tal Ben Haim and Yossi Benayoun are two of their big names who have spoken out about their determination to take points off England and they’ll be looking for another solid defensive performance. With Dudu Aouate in goal and Tal Ben Haim partnering Shimon Gershon in central defence, Arik Benado will move from centre-back to a defensive-midfield position, the same as when Israel and England played out a goalless draw in March.