England boss Roy Hodgson has revealed that Rickie Lambert will make his first international start on Friday.
The Three Lions host Moldova at Wembley and the Southampton striker will receive his first full cap after scoring on debut as a sub in last month's friendly with Scotland.
Hodgson has confirmed that the injuries to Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (head) and Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge (thigh) have given Lambert the opportunity.
"I have picked the team and Rickie Lambert will start, yes," said Hodgson.
"He deserves a chance. I can't deny had Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge been available, it would have been harder for him to get a starting place, but I am more than happy to have a player of his calibre to start this game."
