MANCHESTER, England, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- New England manager Steve McClaren revealed on Tuesday Steven Gerrard will take David Beckham's place to play on the right side of midfield against Greece.

    "I spoke with Stevie and he is delighted with that - he will play anywhere for England," said McClaren.

    "It is an evolution. We are looking at one or two different things and the shape of the team is one of them."

    McClaren will also start with Jermain Defoe, who was left out of England's World Cup squad, and Stewart Downing, who played just 50 minutes in Germany.

    With strikers Wayne Rooney rested, because he is suspended for the first two Euro 2008 qualifiers, and Michael Owen injured, McClaren had called up Defoe and West Ham's Dean Ashton.

    It had appeared that Ashton would partner Peter Crouch up front, but he has been ruled out after suffering an ankle injury in training.

    Gerrard will fill the role that has for so long been held by former skipper Beckham, who was left out of the squad.

    The fact the former captain has been replaced by such a senior England figure as Gerrard will further add to the feeling that Beckham's England career is over.

    McClaren seemed to hint that Gerrard could make the position his own when he revealed he had spoken to Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez about it.

    "I have decided to have a look at Stevie on the right because he played there for Liverpool for the majority of last season and scored 23 goals.

    "I had a good conversation with Rafa early last week and discussed the situation," he added. Enditem