| Kevin Keegan's installation as England coach in the spring of 1999 brought a fresh impetus to an already flagging qualifying campaign for the 2000 European Championships, and with it came the usual glut of untried players hoping to become part of the England furniture. Unconvinced by Graeme Le Saux's status as the first choice left back, Keegan gave Sunderland's cultured defender Michael Gray a debut in a friendly against Hungary, coming on as a sub for fellow debutant Wes Brown and impressing enough to stay in the squad for the next crucial brace of qualifiers against Sweden at home (the pictures above are from the game) and Bulgaria away. Gray subbed Le Saux in the first and started the second, but with both games ending in disappointing draws, Keegan knew he needed more experience at the back and promptly sent for a 37 year old Stuart Pearce for the last two qualifiers which earned England their play-off place against Scotland. Even though Pearce and Le Saux both got long-term injuries shortly afterwards, Keegan decided not to recall Gray and instead went for Phil Neville when the finals themselves came round. (Matthew Rudd) |