GLENN HODDLE is set to discard seven of his players after tonight's game against Belgium and he could also be about to abandon his 3-5-2 formation. The England coach has to trim his squad from 28 (following the loss of Ian Wright) to his final 22 by Tuesday, but that's not the only tinkering on his mind. Just as Bobby Robson finally ditched his flat back four in favour of a sweeper system during Italia 90, Hoddle could be about to trim his wing backs and revert to a 4-4-2 system. He has suggested that nobody can win at the highest level playing 4-4-2, somehow ignoring the magnificent exploits of Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus in recent seasons, but now appears to be mellowing to the idea. He is likely to stick with his preferred 3-5-2 for the start against Belgium but, as England looked much better when they switched to 4-4-2 against Morocco on Wednesday night, he could well change back again. Once the switch was made against Morocco, Graeme Le Saux began to spring forward and Steve McManaman belatedly looked like his Liverpool self. Even Hoddle admitted the change had been for the better. Very early in the second half we went into a back four and put Macca on the left where he got a bit of joy,'' accepted Hoddle. ''We could've done it in the first half and got the ball out to Graeme a lot quicker but we switched to that after half-time when we played more of a 4-4-2 defensively. ''We've done that a few times, switching Graeme into a wing-back area and allowing the left-sided midfielder to float when we're in possession. In the first half we didn't have enough possession to achieve that but, in the second half, we did. It's something we've worked on for 18 months on the training ground, and it's coming off more and more. Alan Shearer may be rested again, while Paul Gascoigne seems likely to be handed a late introduction after completing 90 disappointing minutes against the Moroccans. ''The Belgium game is coming quickly for Paul, just round the corner,'' said Hoddle. ''I need to see how he is physically and I wouldn't want to risk him. Whether he'll get 90 minutes is one thing but he'll have some part. Whether we start with him or bring him on depends on the situation.'' The match against Belgium is also likely to be the last chance for a couple of the players on the fringes of the 22 to stake their claim to a spot in the squad for France. Two games in four days is thought too much for Darren Anderton and he is expected to be left out, having already grabbed a place in Hoddle's squad against all odds. His place on the right could go to David Beckham, Phil Neville or Rob Lee, with Lee or Nicky Butt replacing Paul Ince. ''You've got to have an eye on people and some of them haven't had chances, Hoddle said. Two months ago, he suggested Paul Merson and McManaman were perhaps fighting for one place in the squad. Macca showed what he can do on Wednesday. Now it's The Merse's turn as the two go head to head with the prize of a spot in the 22 on offer.

GALLACHER BACK, BUT DURIE OUT USA v Scotland   SCOTLAND go into their final World Cup warm-up match against the United States on Saturday without having given a run-out to their first-choice strike partnership. It was goals from Blackburn's Kevin Gallacher and Rangers' Gordon Durie against Latvia that finally secured the nation's passage to the finals in France next month, but Gallacher missed the 2-2 draw against Colombia at the Giants Stadium last weekend and now Durie is doubtful for Saturday. Gallacher was suffered from a stomach bug last weekend, but has now recovered. Durie played against the South Americans, but injured his hamstring and is making a slow recovery. Manager Craig Brown has indicated he will not risk Durie as he would rather he was fully fit for the opening game in the finals against Brazil on 10 June at the Stade de France. It is another frustrating setback for the national team boss but he is adamant that Scotland have good enough back-up in the shape of Darren Jackson, Scott Booth and Simon Donnelly. Gallacher, meanwhile, is eager to make up for lost time on Saturday. The 31-year-old Blackburn striker has been on the international scene for ten years now, yet a series of injuries, including two broken legs, has restricted his appearances. However, he looks certain to win his 36th cap against the United States. He scored six goals in the World Cup qualifiers, and his 20 goals in all competitions at club level last season helped Blackburn secure a UEFA Cup place, so it was especially frustrating for him to fall ill when in such good form. Scotland boss Brown knows that Gallacher will carry a lot of the nation's hopes on his slim shoulders when they face holders Brazil. But that does not worry the player and he said: It comes with the territory. The pressure doesn't bother me and I am enjoying my football at the moment. The Scotland boys are quietly confident of doing well in the finals and from a personal point of view I want to enjoy the whole occasion. Durie's injury is not the only one worrying Brown ahead of the match with their fellow World Cup finalists. Craig Burley has a calf strain, Billy McKinlay a foot infection and John Collins a toe injury. But Brown is adamant they are minor knocks and that all three players will be in contention for Saturday's game.

top