England's mission to Moscow looks set to turn into a pitch battle.
For all the talk of injuries and form ahead of the forthcoming Euro 2008 double-header with Estonia and Russia, the artificial playing surface at the Luzhniki Olympic Stadium in the Russian capital is poised to become a major point of controversy.
Ever since the Russian Football Federation's (RFF) appeal to play the October 17 crucial Group E qualifier on the modern equivalent of a plastic pitch found a sympathetic ear at UEFA, the England management are known to have been concerned by the possible advantage it would hand to their hosts.
So the news the RFF postponed planned upgrades to the pitch after Russia's 3-0 humbling at Wembley last month is unlikely to improve their mood.
The revelation was made by FieldTurf, the company who laid the pitch at the Luzhniki, although officials in Russia have been quick to play down any suggestions of underhand tactics.
"After the defeat (at Wembley), they said that they will play on the existing surface," Fieldturf spokesman Michael Davis told BBC's Inside Sport programme.
"The Russians had agreed there would be a new surface but the result at Wembley changed that."
He added: "Some of the Russian players will have played on that surface before, knowing that the England players haven't.
"Put a brand new surface in and it's a level playing field, nobody's played on it."
There is, however, the small matter of Estonia to be negotiated before thoughts turn wholesale to Moscow.
The minnows await at Wembley on Saturday and McClaren has called for a repeat of the spirit seen in last month's back-to-back 3-0 home wins over Israel and Russia.
"Before the Israel game I called for everyone to push together on behalf of the team," said McClaren.
"The reaction was amazing and the atmosphere transmitted itself over to the players, so we ended up with a performance everyone wanted.
"Those last two wins have put us in an excellent position. But the job is still to be completed, which is why the fans must realise they have such an important role to play this weekend."
McClaren has already hinted at changes for Estonia's visit as he looks to ensure his strongest possible side is available for the Moscow adventure.
It was, however, confirmed yesterday he will be without strikers Dean Ashton and Andrew Johnson, who miss out with respective knee and ankle problems.
West Ham striker Ashton said: "It's frustrating but there are plenty of players with the same sort of luck and I'm not going to get too down about it.
"It is part of the game and one of those things."
