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Under fire England boss Steve McClaren has said that Micah Richards of Man City may start the friendly game with Austria and crucial qualifier with Croatia with Micah Richards in central defence.
McClaren is without his first-choice partnership - with Rio Ferdinand suspended and John Terry out (knee injury) - for Friday's friendly in Vienna and the potentially crucial Wembley encounter with Croatia five days later.
Despite his relative inexperience, McClaren will not rule 19-year-old Richards out of the position to partner Sol Campbell on age grounds, saying: "I would have no hesitation in playing Micah Richards in central defence. We played him there for one half against Germany and he did well and his performances there for Manchester City have been impressive."
Joleon Lescott and Wes Brown are being considered as partners for Micah Richards in the two internationals.
Having arranged the friendly in Austria as part of the build-up to Croatia, McClaren now finds himself in the difficult position of not knowing whether he is preparing a team for the biggest match of his management career or face-saving exercise to accompany the massive let-down.
Written by majicka
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