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England could face pain from Spain this Saturday

Wednesday 9 November, 2011

By Kelvin Goodson

England’s footballers take on the world and European Champions on ITV1 this Saturday, while Ireland could take the final step to Euro 2012 on Sky Sports

England fans will be concerned that their team may face a footballing lesson from Spain at Wembley this Saturday.

While the world and European Champions will pick their starting 11 from a full-strength squad, England’s group contains four uncapped players and six international rookies.

Spanish manager Vincente del Bosque will pick from a squad containing the likes of Barcelona passmaster Xavi, scorer of Spain’s winner in last year’s World Cup final Andres Iniesta and Manchester City’s midfield magician David Silva.

England coach Fabio Capello, on the other hand, will select his team from a squad including the uncapped Jack Rodwell, Daniel Sturridge, David Stockdale and Kyle Walker and the barely capped Phil Jones, Danny Welbeck and Gary Cahill.

The Three Lions will also be missing talisman/enfant terrible Wayne Rooney, with Capello electing to look at his side without the Manchester United forward, who will be suspended for the opening three matches of next summer’s Euro 2012.

Capello also seems unlikely to select England captain John Terry for the fixture, with the Chelsea centre back awaiting the outcome of police and FA investigations into racism allegations.

The match kicks-off at 5.15pm on Saturday, with coverage beginning at 4.45pm on ITV1, which can be accessed via Freeview.

The night before, the Republic of Ireland will kick-off the first leg of their Euro 2012 qualifying play-off in Estonia, which will be screened on Sky Sports 1 and the high-definition (HD) version of the channel.

With West Bromwich Albion’s Shane Long injured, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Kevin Doyle suspended and Newcastle United’s Leon Best injured - and awaiting the birth of a baby - Stoke City’s Jon Walters looks set to be handed responsibility for the sharp end of the Republic’s attacks on only his fourth cap.

The second leg, which takes place the following Tuesday, kicks-off at 7.45pm and will be shown on Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky’s 3D channel, Sky 3D.

Photo by Nyaa Birdies Perch