Tried and trusted for McClaren

Joey Barton and Gareth Barry are the major casualties of Steve McClaren's urgent need for results after the England coach named a streamlined 23-man party for the crucial Euro 2008 double-header against Israel and Andorra.

Despite not doing much wrong in the recent friendly defeat to Spain, neither man has made McClaren's squad for England's first competitive fixture since the dismal loss to Croatia in October.

Barry's omission in particular is a slight surprise given Ashley Cole - who is selected - is suspended for the Israel encounter and his regular left-back deputy Wayne Bridge is injured.

It confirmed Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville are vying for the defensive berth from a squad where 13 players are due to play twice in 48 hours over the weekend, culminating in FA Cup quarter-final replays on Monday.

McClaren has already joked he will be watching the replays "with his eyes closed" fearing the damage the extra fixtures could cause to his planning.

Having slipped to third spot in Group E, England need to pick up at least a point in Tel Aviv to ease the pressure on McClaren and retain a realistic hope of reaching next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Of the side which started against Spain at Old Trafford, only four players are likely to keep their place when England look to follow Croatia's lead by winning in Israel.

Peter Crouch is injured and Shaun Wright-Phillips has been axed, although given his lack of first-team opportunities at Chelsea, it is surprising the winger was picked at all.

Michael Carrick, Jonathan Woodgate, Kieron Dyer and Ben Foster can expect places on the bench at best unless McClaren thinking dramatically alters over the next week.

Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has already been guaranteed a recall, while his White Hart Lane team-mate Aaron Lennon seems certain to occupy the left-sided spot in a four-man midfield which will see Steven Gerrard start on the right.