This B international friendly between England and Belarus is to be played on 25 May 2006 at Reading's Madejski stadium at 8.05pm (BST - British Summer Time). It is England's first warm up game before the World Cup 2006 and England have not played Belarus before.

Belarus did not qualify for the World Cup 2006 as Italy and Norway qualified from their group. Italy got 23 points in the group followed by Norway (18 points), Scotland (13 points), Slovenia (12 points), Belarus (10 points) and Moldova (5 points). Belaurus did beat Scotland 1-0 away on 8 October 2005 with a goal from Kutuzov and they also drew 0-0 with them at home on 8 June 2005.

Belarus' most famous player at the moment is Alexander Hleb who plays in midfield for Arsenal but he will not play in this match. Vitali Kutuzov is a recognised striker who plays for Sampdoria in Italy. Maxim Romaschenko (after recovering from a recent knee injury) will also start for Belarus up front. Belarus put close to their best steam out but did start with several younger squad members for this B international.

The England manager, Sven Goran Eriksson has said that this B international will give him a chance to look at players like Theo Walcott (striker) and Aaron Lennon (right winger) who are new to the squad as well as Michael Owen who is coming back from injury. Eriksson said that Walcott is likely to be used as a substitute but that Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell will probably start against Belarus. He also said that Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, David Beckham and Paul Robinson will not play but that the reserve players will be involved one way or another.

                                                          


Please click here to see the full England squad and click here for the latest on Wayne Rooney's injury.

The England starting line up for the match will probably be:

 
                                                        David James
 
  Owen Hargreaves             Jamie Carragher         Sol Campbell                     Ashley Cole

  Aaron Lennon                  Michael Carrick           Jermaine Jenas                Stewart Downing

                                          Michael Owen             Peter Crouch