Lescott set to start for England

Lescott has only one senior England cap to his name

Everton defender Joleon Lescott is expected to make his first start for England in Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia.

Lescott, 25, who made his international debut as a substitute against Estonia on Saturday, is set to replace the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is likely to start on the bench again as England keep faith with a 4-4-2 system.

But captain John Terry has shaken off a knee injury and is back in training.

Lescott looks to have pipped Reading full-back Nicky Shorey as England coach Steve McClaren's preferred alternative to Cole, while his experienced Everton team-mate Phil Neville is also an option.

Cole was carried off in Saturday's win over Estonia and is awaiting the results of a scan on his ankle injury.

Lescott has spent most of this season at centre-back following Leighton Baines' arrival at Goodison Park but played a large part of last season on the left.

He replaced Rio Ferdinand in the second half against Estonia and played at left-back after Cole's injury, but appeared slightly nervous on his international debut.

Lampard had been tipped to make a return to England's starting line-up.

But McClaren's apparent decision not to play a 4-3-3 formation means he will not join Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry in a three-man midfield.

The Chelsea midfielder came off the bench against Estonia - to boos from some England fans - and joined Gerrard and Barry, who have gelled well in central midfield during Lampard's injury-enforced absence.

Club-mate Terry, who is playing with a mask to protect a broken cheekbone, picked up his latest knock in training last week.

But his return to training gave England a boost going into a match that could guarantee their qualification for Euro 2008.

They will reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland if they beat Russia. A draw would leave them needing a point from their final game against Croatia at Wembley on 21 November.

England arrived in a chilly Moscow late on Monday. The city had its first snow of the winter at the weekend, but the forecast for Wednesday is cloud and temperatures of 9C degrees.

A sell-out 80,000 crowd is expected at the Luzhniki Stadium, where the match will be played on an artificial surface. England trained on a similar pitch in Cheshire on Monday.

Moscow has seen its share of football-related violence in recent years, and more than 5,000 police officers will be on duty at the match.