You read that right. England are set to play 3-5-2 with wingbacks against Macedonia, if recent training sessions are anything to go by.

It will likely mean Gary Neville joing John Terry and Rio Ferdinand in a back three, Ashley Cole the obvious choice for left wing-back and either Phil Neville or Shaun Wright-Phillips at right wing back, depending on how adventurous McClaren is feeling. The three central midfielders would include both Gerrard and Lampard with a holding player, probably Michael Carrick, giving them both some freedom to attack. Then the usual front two, probably Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch. If this happens the big Loser will be Stewart Downing, who doesn't have the defensive wits to play left wing back.

I'm quite excited about all this, whether it works or not. It's just nice that they're trying something different. After nearly six years under Sven I was starting to think that 4-4-2 was the only formation in existence.

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