Sven-Goran Eriksson faces one of the biggest tests of his reign as England coach this weekend as he prepares for a dramatic shift in tactics to face Wales in Cardiff.

Eriksson is poised to choose a key World Cup qualifying tie to embark on a new experiment with his formation, with Wayne Rooney as the lone striker ahead of a five-man midfield in which David Beckham takes centre-stage.

With Michael Owen suspended, Eriksson and his coaching staff have been mulling over a shift in tactics for this game since the 4-1 defeat against Denmark last month exposed England's defensive vulnerability.

Eriksson consulted his senior players, including Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, on Tuesday evening and heard they also favoured a change in Owen's absence.

While there is some frustration that news of the move, which was meant to take the Welsh by surprise, has leaked out, Gerrard's return to full training yesterday at least enabled Eriksson to perfect his new system.

As a result, Jermain Defoe looks set to miss out on the starting line-up, with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole instead being selected on the flanks.

Although the duo have so far been only second choices in those positions for Chelsea, Eriksson is looking at bolstering his central midfield with Gerrard, Beckham and Lampard together.

The move would give Beckham the central role which he has craved for so long, while still finding room for the enigmatic Wright-Phillips.

It is, in many ways, a bold move given that Eriksson has only experimented with the system a couple of times before - in friendlies against Holland in 2002 and February 2005 - and has previously been committed to a 4-4-2 formation.

Moreover, he has already admitted that if England suffer another embarrassing defeat, his job could be on the line, while he still needs to counter criticisms of tactical inflexibility.

His answer will come in the Millennium Stadium, when England can either stay in command in their qualifying group or come under extreme pressure.

Owen will also be fascinated to watch the success of a new system, given that he would struggle to fit into such a formation as a lone striker, with Rooney pushed out wide.

However, Eriksson's view is that England need a variety of tactical approaches if they are to win a tournament, even if he has yet to return to a genuine holding midfielder, such as Michael Carrick or Owen Hargreaves.

Defoe is potentially the biggest loser, having been hoping to start tomorrow's game in Owen's absence, only to find himself at risk of being relegated back to the bench.

''It is difficult, but all I can do is keep working hard and keep scoring goals - to just let my football do the talking, and hopefully that will be enough,'' said the Spurs striker.

''At club level, when you play and don't score, you know you will be there again next time. I guess you just need to have a good run and maybe a bit of luck as well.

''Once you are playing well for your club, you are feeling sharp and confident. If I do get a chance for England, I am sure I will be ready."

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has warned Wales England will be like a ''wounded animal''.

The Manchester United defender said: ''If any player has a bad game it's there in the back of your mind in the next game. There's always a hangover.

''When you put in a good performance it puts it to rest a bit, although it doesn't completely disappear. You don't want to lose 4-1 to anyone, regardless of whether it's for club or country.

''The sense of urgency always rises after a defeat like that. It's good that we're playing so quickly because the wound is still quite open.

''It is like a wounded animal in a way, as you want to get out there as quick as possible and rectify it."