Matthew Upson will start for England in Wednesday afternoon’s crucial World Cup Group C encounter against Slovenia.
Fabio Capello has handed the West Ham defender a place alongside John Terry at the heart of the back four for the Port Elizabeth encounter.
Upson will deputise for Jamie Carragher, who has picked up bookings against both the United States and Algeria already in the tournament.
Upson is effectively the fifth-choice central defender, with Capello having lost captain Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King to injury.
Capello has also suggested that he will make other changes in a bid to inject some life into his side for the must-win contest against group leaders Slovenia.
