CHARLTON defender Luke Young is set to make his first start for England against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Young is now the favourite to deputise for the injured Gary Neville at right back after manager Sven-Goran Eriksson selected him to play in that position with the first team in training.

The versatile Phil Neville had been tipped to replace his brother, but he plays in the centre of midfield for Everton and it seems Young's regular appearances at full back for the Addicks has swayed Eriksson.

If selected, the 26-year-old will take his place in a makeshift back line, with Jamie Carragher stepping in to replace Chelsea captain John Terry, who will miss the next month with a knee injury.

Young was first called into the full international squad for the trip to the USA in the summer, but he only made two brief substitute appearances.

But with Glen Johnson, who has been a regular in Eriksson's squads, dropped after the 4-1 humiliation in Denmark and not playing regularly at Chelsea, Young has the chance to stake a claim for a World Cup place.

However, his task at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday will not be an easy one because his job will be to contain Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs.