Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard are set to make their 99th appearance for England this afternoon - after the game was postponed due to heavy rain-fall in Warsaw last night.
This is the first England game to be called off due to weather since 1979. Heavy rain had been falling for most of the day but still, the roof of the 400million pound, state of the art stadium stayed open - and gradually the playing field became drowned under pools of water. The match was eventually called off - but only after fans and millions watching at home were left waiting 45 minutes for the inevitable decision to be made by FIFA Authorities.
Italian referee, Gianluca Rocci inspected the pitch at 8pm, when the match was due to start. However, there was little prospect of play - yet FIFA were so desperate for the game to go ahead that final decision was not made until 8.45pm. The FA confirmed that the game would be played at 4pm on Wednesday instead. The decision however, infuriated travelling fans - who traveled to Poland to see their country turn out and play. The FA intend to compensate the traveling away support.
The Polish authorities are set to blame for this whole fiasco - who then tried to arrange the game later on to next year due to the Polish domestic fixtures commencing on Friday.
Roy Hodgson said: "Its a disaster for the Polish Federation - I had no idea quite how bad the conditions were going to be."
England will be without key players Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott. Chelsea youngster Ryan Bertrand will also miss the game. Whilst Steven Gerrard will return to the line-up to captain the side.
Poland will have Robert Lewandowski fit for the game against England. The Polish star has recently came out to say he plans to score against Hart. He told The Sun: “This is a different game and another opportunity to score against Hart”.
“He is a very good goalkeeper but he can be beaten like anybody else.”
This is in reference to Manchester City's latest game in The Champions League game against Borrusia Dortmund. Lewandowski failed to score past Hart, who once again kept Manchester City in the game.
England currently sit top of Group H of FIFA World Cup qualifying with seven points from thee games. Whilst Poland are currently third, with four points from two games. Therefore, this game has massive potential to disrupt England's chance of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup – and Roy Hodgson will be sure to send out an entirely different squad than he did against San Marino.
Last 5 Results: England – W D W W L
12/10/12 – England 5 – 0 San Marino
11/10/12 - England 1 – 1 Ukraine
07/09/12 – Moldova 0 – 5 England
15/09/12 – England 2 – 1 Italy
24/06/12 – England 0 – 0 Italy (Italy win 4-2 on penalties – EURO 2012)
Last 5 Results: Poland – W W D L L
12/10/12 – Poland 1 – 0 South Africa
11/09/12 – Poland 2 – 0 Molodva
07/09/12 – Montenegro 2 – 2 Poland
15/08/12 – Estonia 1 – 0 Poland
16/06/12 – Poland 0 – 1 Czech Republic
England v Poland Head to Head: England: 7 Draw: 3 Poland: 1
England have played Poland 11 times – with 7 victories and 3 draws, Poland have only been victorious once - coming all the way back in 1973.
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away |
| 2004/2005 | 12th October | England | 2 - 1 | Poland |
| 8th September | Poland | 1 - 2 | England | |
| 1996/1997 | 31st May | Poland | 0 - 2 | England |
| 9th October | England | 2 - 1 | Poland | |
| 1992/1993 | 8th September | England | 3 - 0 | Poland |
| 29th May | Poland | 1 - 1 | England | |
| 1988/1989 | 11th October | Poland | 0 - 0 | England |
| 3rd June | England | 3 - 0 | Poland | |
| 1985/1986 | 11th June | England | 3 - 0 | Poland |
| 1972/1973 | 17th October | England | 1 - 1 | Poland |
| 6th June | Poland | 2 - 0 | England |
Key Player: England – Wayne Rooney
Captaining England against San Marino will be a major highlight in Wayne Rooney's career. The Manchester United star will be keen to prove to Roy Hodsgon that he has the mentality and ability to succeed Steven Gerrard as captain. However, for the time being Wayne Rooney will step out the shadows of the captaincy. With two goals in his last game – and 19 away from being England's leading goal scorer, Rooney will want to score these goals as quickly as possible. Although a game away against Poland is not like playing San Marino at Wembley – Rooney will be eager to increase his goal tally for The Three Lions.
Key Player: Poland – Robert Lewandowski
The Dortmund star will be Poland's key attacking threat on Tuesday night. With 15 goals for Poland on the international stage – Lewandowski will carry the attack on his broad shoulders in Warsaw on Tuesday evening. The striker is wanted all over Europe after his recent displays for Borussia Dortmund – and the in demand forward will be keen to show his talent off around the world with a goal against England. A victory over England will increase Poland's chance of qualification to the FIFA 2014 World Cup. After scoring Poland's first goal at Euro 2012 – Lewandowski will be keen to return to a major football tournament.
Source: DSG
