Paul Robinson has insisted England will have to adapt to the plastic pitch when they face Russia in Wednesday's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Moscow.
The Tottenham 'keeper is adamant there will be no room for excuses because of the artificial surface if Steve McClaren's side slip up against a Russia side looking to avenge last month's 3-0 defeat at Wembley.
England have been training in similar conditions as part of their preparations for a game from which a win will ensure their qualification for next summer's finals - but a defeat will take their hopes out of their own hands.
Robinson said: "It will be different. We trained on a plastic pitch a couple of times during the past week, we've got a couple more sessions before we fly out on Monday to Russia and we will train on the actual pitch on Tuesday.
"It's just another element you have to cope with. It will be a tough away trip to Russia and not many of us have played on that type of pitch before.
"But it must be of good quality and we can't be putting excuses in the way about plastic pitches. We've got to go out there, deal with the circumstances and hopefully get a win.
"It is a learning experience for us all. We have done as much research as we can."
Robinson admits he may have to adjust his own game to deal with the conditions in Moscow where snow has been falling during the past few days.
He said: "Maybe as a 'keeper you have to meet the ball before it bounces some of the time. You can't rely on the ball skidding through as it does on grass.
"Maybe the bounce will take a lot of pace off the ball. I think I will have to wear leggings or tracksuit bottoms to prevent the burns and the grazes and to help me to slide.
"It is a new challenge and it is a massive game for all of us. We have put ourselves in a great position now, have won a lot of games 3-0, and we want to finish the job."
Robinson is expecting a busier night than in the 3-0 win over Estonia and he knows the Russians will wants to redress the balance after the reversal at Wembley.
He said: "No disrespect to Estonia, but Russia is the big game because we have to go there and get something. It is going to be a difficult game and they won't be happy having got beat the way they did here.
"They will be looking for revenge but they will be coming up against a confident England team.
"I definitely expect a busier night on Wednesday. Away to Russia is going to be a difficult game. They won't be pleased with the way we beat them at Wembley."
Robinson is in a confident frame of mind despite coming under the microscope for recent errors with club and country.
He said: "I was pleased with my form against Estonia. First of all I was pleased to play. But, if you look at my record, that is our 10th qualifying game and I've kept nine clean sheets.
"I do look at my own performances and I've made a few mistakes which is unlike me but I have worked hard.
"The manager gave me a vote of confidence and I took a lot of strength from that and from the clean sheet on Saturday.
"All goalkeepers are harsh on themselves but I am pleased and we all know how close we are to qualifying now. We've got the bit between our teeth and don't want to let the chance go now."
