Ferdinand set for return

Rio Ferdinand is poised to return to the England defence after making it through a training session at Skopje's Gradski Stadium.

Ferdinand, 27, missed Saturday's 5-0 win over Andorra with a toe injury but boss Steve McClaren wants him in his back four for tomorrow's Euro 2008 qualifier away to Macedonia.

McClaren said: "Rio is a valuable player for us. He has great experience and forms a very good partnership with John Terry."

The Manchester United defender will come in for Wes Brown in what should be the only change. McClaren is not expected to make other changes to the team which beat Andorra so convincingly.

He practised with an alternative team in training, using Wayne Bridge on the left instead of Stewart Downing and Andrew Johnson up front in place of Jermain Defoe.

Steven Gerrard will win his 50th cap in midfield and the England boss presented him with a framed photograph on behalf of team sponsors Nationwide.

McClaren said: "He has got better and better. His performances at Liverpool have been a platform to spring from and become a great player.

"You have to prove that on the international stage and he's doing that.

"He can turn a football match, win a football match. We call it the defining moment."