Mexico's new regime

Centre back Claudio Suarez will lead the Mexico defence

BBC World Service's Tim Vickery looks at the Mexico squad to face England

Mexico visit Pride Park on their way to Asia to defend the Confederations Cup title they won on home soil two years ago.

The 4-3 win over Brazil in the 1999 final marked a high point for Mexican football.

It followed an impressive Copa America, a year on from a World Cup campaign where they surprised even their own press by holding their own in Europe.

With their new generation starring in the 1999 World Youth Cup, it seemed that Mexico were finally about to pull their weight in the world game.

But subsequent signs have not been encouraging.

Pardo likes to have a crack at goal

In addition to a series of disappointments at Under-17, 20 and 23 levels, the senior side suddenly lost its way.

After an awful 2000, Mexico have not made the brightest of starts in the decisive stage of CONCACAF's World Cup qualifiers.

A long term injury to striker Cuauhtémoc Blanco didn't help.

The real problem, though, was that the spine of the team had grown old together.

Keeper Jorge Campos, centre back Claudio Suarez and striker Luis Hernandez were all in decline, giving the team a sluggish air.

Unable to solve the problems coach Manuel Lapuente made way for Enrique Meza, who started to rebuild the side after February's 2-0 defeat to the United States.

Suarez remains, but Hernandez and Campos have gone.

Lapses

The tiny keeper has been replaced by Osvaldo Sanchez, although the highly rated Erubey Cabuto could be given a chance against England on Friday.

With the experience of more than 150 caps, Suarez organises a three man defence.

His judgement and timing in the tackle are still impeccable, but his lack of pace makes the team vulnerable to the long ball over the top.

Suarez is now without the assistance of Monaco's Rafael Marques, who, rarely for a Mexican, has become a star in Europe.

For all his quality, Marques' recent international displays have been littered with lapses of concentration.

After an idiotic red card against Trinidad last month he has not been called up, perhaps signalling a rift with Enrique Meza.

In his absence much will be expected from Diulio Davino, a fine centre back making a long recovery from injury problems.

The wing back positions will probably be filled by the hard-shooting Pavel Pardo and the neat Marco Antonio Ruiz.

The workmanlike German Villa and Alberto Coyote are the leading candidates for the holding role.

Young Juan Pablo Rodrigues, wonderfully subtle with free kicks around the box, may be given play-making duties.

Weaknesses

In the World Cup whippet-like right winger Jesus Arellano was shrewdly used as a second half substitute, and terrified defences with his pace and trickery.

The sturdier Daniel Osorno is an option if Meza chooses to attack down the left.

The replacement for Hernandez up front is Antonio De Nigris.

Reminiscent of Felipe Inzaghi of Juventus, De Nigris is a natural goalscorer who has taken immediately to international football, and combines his career with following a degree course in business administration.

Sure to study the English defence closely in search of weaknesses, De Nigris provides Mexico with their best chance of springing an upset on Friday.