Jermain Defoe will start up front for England in their World Cup qualifying opener against Moldova tonight.
With Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll absent through injury, manager Roy Hodgson has opted for the Tottenham Hotspur striker ahead of Danny Welback following his late winner against Italy last month.
Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley joins experienced duo Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in midfield, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is named on the wing.
As expected, Leighton Baines replaces the absent Ashley Cole at left-back, while Joleon Lescott is preferred to Gary Cahill as John Terry's central defensive partner.
England: Hart, Johnson, Lescott, Terry, Baines; Gerrard, Cleverley, Lampard; Milner, Oxlade Chamberlain; Defoe
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
