Six out of England squad

Steve McClaren’s massive England squad for this week’s friendly with Holland has been trimmed down to 22 following the withdrawal of half a dozen players this evening.

Aside from full-back Gary Neville, who was pulled out by Alex Ferguson yesterday after aggravating a calf injury in the win against Blackburn, McClaren has also shed striker Darren Bent, midfielders Stewart Downing and Scott Parker and Tottenham defender Ledley King.

In addition, Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland has been given leave of absence as his wife is due to give birth to the couple’s first child this week.

McClaren has opted not to draft any more players in even though, in Kirkland's absence, just two goalkeepers will make the trip to the Dutch capital.

However, with Charlton’s Scott Carson on U21 duty in Alkmaar this week, McClaren has an obvious standby option should the need arise.

In theory at least, the withdrawals are good news for Micah Richards, Joe Cole and Andrew Johnson.

Richards in particular stands far more chance of becoming the youngest defender to play for England now the elder Neville brother will stay behind for treatment in Manchester.

Although Phil Neville, Jamie Carragher and Wes Brown are all capable of filling the vacant right-back berth, Richards has impressed in the role for Manchester City this season and is bound to come into McClaren’s thinking, even if he is only used as a substitute.

With both Downing and Parker missing after picking up groin problems at the weekend, McClaren seems almost certain to ask Cole to fill the left-sided midfield berth.

The Chelsea star is yet to play under the new England coach but is now happily over the knee injury which sidelined him at the start of the season.

Cole was a likely starter anyway but there seems no other plausible alternative for McClaren in terms of the problematic left flank role other than Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon, who is expected to be named on the right.

Bent’s absence due to a hamstring injury opens the way for Johnson to play some part, either as substitute or a potential partner for Wayne Rooney given Peter Crouch’s patchy recent form.

King was also expected to be on the bench in Amsterdam but as he is still being troubled by a knee injury, the Tottenham skipper has also decided to remain at home.

Revised England squad for the friendly with Holland at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday, November 15 (7pm)

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Ben Foster (Manchester United, on loan at Watford)

Defenders: Phil Neville (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)

Midfield: Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Joe Cole (Chelsea).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Andrew Johnson (Everton).