Kieron Dyer was today confident his England career was still on track even with a new manager.

The Ipswich Town midfielder usually plays wing back for his country but Howard Wilkinson has gone straight to a 4-4-2 formation for the friendly against World Champions France at Wembley tonight.

Dyer is used in midfield for Ipswich but Wilkinson has a plethero of stars, including David Beckham, to fill that position.

There is a chance Dyer could be named among the subs tonight but he has accepted he is mainly in the senior squad to gain experience and get used to mixing with the country's elite.

Dyer today said: "Howard Wilkinson has watched me quite a few times and knows I'm very versatile.

"I was hoping to be named among the subs but there are a lot of experienced players ahead of me at the moment.

"John Gorman told me Glenn Hoddle wanted a close look at me which meant I might have got some time playing."

For Richard Wright it is his second experience of being included in the full squad but with David Seaman starting it is probable Nigel Martyn will hold on the the number two goalkeeping spot.

Wilkinson hands Lee Dixon his first cap for five years as England go for the Arsenal defence to thwart the world champions.

Dixon teams up with Tony Adams and Martin Keown with Nigel Winterburn on stand-by if Chelsea's Graham Le Saux has more problems with his heel.

Dyer said: "Howard Wilkinson told us today that the French manager would love to have any five of our strikers in his time and that says it all.

"We are confident and I'm particularly looking forward to tasting the atmosphere of a sell-out Wembley crowd."

Skipper Alan Shearer could have a couple of partners with Michael Owen favourite to start but with Robbie Fowler and Andy Cole, all pushing for a place it could be an interesting evening.

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