EXCLUSIVE: Carrick replaces Lampard for England's must-win qualifier with Poland



Michael Carrick has been given the nod for England in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Poland as exclusively revealed by Sportsmail earlier today.



Carrick - who was heavily trialled for the midfield role all last week at St George's Park in training - is playing alongside captain Steven Gerrard in the centre of the park, with Chris Smalling coming into the team at right back.

Carrick's impressive passing statistics were noted by England coaching staff in his last club game for Manchester United in their victory at Sunderland.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Roy Hodgson: Focusing on final whistle



No wonder he's smiling: Michael Carrick has been recalled to the England team for the vital World Cup qualifier with Poland and Wembley

Out: Frank Lampard started against Montenegro but will not play from the beginning against Poland

EXPECTED ENGLAND LINE-UP

Hart Smalling Cahill Jagielka Baines Carrick Gerrard (c) Townsend Rooney Welbeck Sturridge

He made 123 passes, far more than Jack Wilshere (60) at West Bromwich and more than Frank Lampard (at Norwich) and Gerrard against Crystal Palace.

Smalling will start at right back in the same 4-2-3-1 formation that was so successful in the 4-1 victory over Montenegro on Friday at Wembley, with Andros Townsend passing a late fitness test.

Carrick came on as a 65th minute substitute for Lampard at Wembley on Friday night when England had just gone 2-0 up.

The Manchester United midfielder, currently the club's player of the year, has won just 30 caps for his country in more than a decade with the national team.

Pass master: Carrick made 123 passes in Manchester United's 2-1 win at Sunderland the weekend before the international break

Another chance: England boss Roy Hodgson (below) again starts with Andros Townsend after his impressive debut against Montenegro

Must-win: A victory will guarantee England their place in the finals

He has been continually overlooked by a succession of England managers, but tonight he will get his chance in the final game in Group H.

Carrick has made only one appearance in a World Cup match, when he was picked for England's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in the 2006 tournament in Germany.

This evening he gets the opportunity to take them to next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil.

Carrick is under strict instructions to play the holding role in front of England's back four and dictate the tempo of the game from midfield alongside the country's captain Gerrard.

Sold out: All the tickets for the big match at Wembley have been snapped up, with as many as 20,000 Polish fans expected to be in attendance