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Upson handed start in place of injured Terry

11/10/2008

West Ham United defender Matthew Upson has been handed the opportunity to start for England against Kazakhstan in place of the injured John Terry.

Upson beat off competition from Everton's Joleon Lescott and Manchester United's Wes Brown to earn his ninth cap in Saturday's World Cup qualifier.

The 29-year-old featured in Fabio Capello's first game in charge against Switzerland alongside Rio Ferdinand – who will partner him once again versus Kazakhstan.

Although Brown was passed over for a place at centre-back he is in the starting XI at right-back, being preferred by Capello to Portsmouth's Glen Johnson.

David James retains his place in goal and Ashley Cole again starts at left-back.

Although Capello has named Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the same midfield as was expected, Aston Villa's Gareth Barry will also play.

Barry has anchored the midfield in recent games and Capello looks likely to start with Gerrard on the left side of midfield as he did in his last game against Czech Republic.

The Liverpool midfielder missed England's opening two qualifiers and his return should boost England's potential goal scorers at Wembley.

Theo Walcott also retains his place in the starting XI after his hat-trick against Croatia. England will hope his pace can unlock what is sure to be a stoic Kazakhstan defence.

Capello has also named the same strike pair that started against Croatia with Wayne Rooney and Wigan's Emile Heskey leading the line.