Steve McClaren has described Micah Richards as a "new breed of player" after handing the 18-year-old his England debut in the friendly against Holland.

The Manchester City defender will start the game in Amsterdam, England's first since the 2-0 defeat by Croatia.

The England manager said: "He is an exciting player, the new breed of player. He is big, strong, athletic, very quick and has got a fantastic leap on him.

"He has come into this environment and is not fazed and is looking forward to the game."

Richards will be joined by Andrew Johnson who will start up front alongside Wayne Rooney although McClaren admitted he was disappointed by the withdrawal of Aaron Lennon.

"I think it's a good chance to see him alongside Rooney and a good chance to start with him," added the England boss.

"With Aaron it would have been good to look at him against Holland. I said Aaron would play a part because I think a friendly is a good place to do that.

"We tried a few things in training. We wanted width and got that with Joe Cole, wanted pace up front and got that with Andy."

England team: Robinson, Richards, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, J Cole, Rooney, Johnson.