MANCHESTER (AFP) - Wayne Rooney looks set to be deployed behind Michael Owen and Jermain Defoe in a three-pronged England attack against Wales.
Rooney's return from a foot injury had been thought likely to result in either Owen, who has struggled since his move to Real Madrid, or Defoe dropping to the bench after they linked up well in last month's win in Poland.
But manager Sven-Goran Eriksson appears to have decided to abandon his normally cautious approach by unleashing all three of the forwards on Wales.
Although he would not confirm his change of heart on the eve of the match, Eriksson spoke at length about Rooney's ability to adapt to different roles and gave Owen a vote of confidence which implied he would be playing.
"Of course he (Owen) hopes he will play more at Real but, as he says, it is not a concern for today although it might be at Christmas.
"We are sure he wants to show (what he can do) and it is a very good opportunity for him."
Defoe, who turned 22 on Thursday, scuppered Eriksson's attempts to keep his tactical thinking secret when he confirmed they had been working on the new formation in training.
England have been forced to rejig their midfield in the absence of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Bridge, both of whom are injured.
"Wayne (Rooney) is a player who likes to come short and make things happen. I think it will work," Defoe predicted. "Similar to Paul Scholes in a way. He creates things out of nothing.
"Me and Michael like to get behind or play on the shoulder. If it happens it will be great. It is an awesome prospect. If a chance falls to Wayne, Michael or myself hopefully we will take it. Hopefully it will be great.
"It has been dynamic in training but it is always going to be different in a game, how it works.
"Michael is a similar player to be myself, so you think you might have to be patient. But the Poland game went really well. We linked up well and if all three of us play on Saturday it would be better for the side."
"If we did play like that and me and Michael could get down the channels and Wayne could get on the ball it could be a special day."
Wales manager Mark Hughes appeared unfazed by the prospect of England lining up with three forwards, but admitted he was as excited as anyone about Rooney's potential.
"Wayne Rooney is a fantastic talent, I think everyone understands that. With my Welsh hat off and speaking just as a football fan I really enjoy watching him play.
"He has a great attitude to the game and he is very positive in everything he does. He is an explosive talent and obviously we are aware of the threat that he poses to us.
"But in all honesty you can't pay too much attention to one individual because there are threats from other areas."