Milligan recall to defence a success

Mark Milligan turned back the clock starting in central defence against England on Friday night and says he's happy to pinch hit at the back again if required.

With several Asian-based players missing the 2-1 loss against England, including centre-half regular Trent Sainsbury, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou turned to veteran Milligan to plug a gaping hole in the backline.

It was the first time in five years that Milligan, now more regularly spotted in midfield, had started a game at centre back.

And his selection alongside hard-nosed defender Bailey Wright added much-needed experience to Postecoglou's back four which boasted just 64 games of international experience between them going into the England game, 46 of which belonged to Milligan.

The 30-year-old who now plies his trade for Baniyas SC in the UAE didn't get much time to readjust to his old position with England speedsters Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling starting up forward.

"I'm not sure you could find a couple of quicker players," Milligan said.

"I've filled in every now and then but [it's] probably five years since I started a game at centre back.

"With the ball I'm more comfortable, it was just the positional side of things, my starting points and things like that.

"We have some very good staff who put out some videos for me. Bailey's excellent to play next to, lots of chatter, and [goalkeeper] Matty [Ryan] behind me as well," Milligan said.

"We were good in a lot of areas ... To concede a little bit of a scrappy goal early on is always tough but from a footballing side of things we generally did things the way we wanted to."

For the most part Milligan handled his role soundly alongside Wright.

Rashford's early goal was lucky, after a Sterling cross took a deflection and fell to the debutant's feet.

England's second, taken superbly by captain Wayne Rooney 10 minutes after halftime, came off the back of a swift counterattack.

Otherwise the Socceroos proved tricky for England to break down.

Milligan's assuredness in playing the ball out from the back complemented Wright's physical style well, and gives Postecoglou another choice at the back ahead of two games with Greece next month and a World Cup qualifying campaign later this year.

"It's not a one-off. Millsy is such a good passer of the ball, he gives us that extra option playing out from the back," Postecoglou said.

"He's a good defender and he's a fantastic competitor. I thought him and Bailey Wright were outstanding."

Preston North End defender Wright was only playing his 11th game for the Socceroos, but already looks to have nailed down his position at centre back.

He's uncompromising, tough and thrives on shutting down opposition attacks.

"When you've played in League 1 and the Championship, certainly League 1's a lot more physical and you've got to scrap for things," Wright said.

"[The] Championships a bit more crisper and not as physical but that's the style of football I've been brought up on, that's me, that's the sort of player I am, I like getting stuck in."