Though he is happy with the performance of substitute Abhishek Yadav, Houghton also dropped hints that newly appointed East Bengal captain Syed Rahim Nabi can also play an important role upfront.

Houghton declined to name his starting eleven and picked up a quote from the famous England manager Terry Venables saying: 'Pick the best team in your mind and make four-five changes.'

But it appears that Sushil Kumar might be preferred to Yadav to start with Bhutia. Yadav himself doesn't remember when was the last time he had started, but said that the change is a good sign for Indian football.

'It is a good sign that Bob is now having some options. I think it will also benefit the team since we are also preparing for the 2011 Asian Cup,' Yadav said.

The starting eleven also won't have many changes.

Subrata Paul, who had an unimpressive I-League with East Bengal, now has the look of confidence after the Barcelona trip while central defender Dipak Mondal may start along with Gourmangi Singh, Anwar and the seasoned Mahesh Gawli. The mid-field will comprise Steven Dias, Climax Lawrence, N.P. Pradeep and Renedy Singh.

The only new face in the 20-member side is Dempo midfielder Anthony Pereira, who replaced his clubmate Clifford Miranda, and has impressed Houghton with his goal scoring abilities.

Meanwhile, Lebanon coach Emile Rustom does not want to take the defending champions lightly, despite his team's better record against the hosts.

'Due to political turmoil in our country we haven't played much. But we are well prepared for this tournament. But the Indian team has done well and are going from strength to strength,' he said.

Rustom will be banking on his star striker Mohammad Gaddar to demolish India.

Gaddar scored four goals during the World Cup qualifiers against India and the Al Nejmeh forward hopes to repeat that performance.

India squad:

Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; Defenders: Mahesh Gawli, Gourmangi Singh, Anwar, Surkumar Singh, N.S. Manju, Dipak Mondal, Sameer Naik; Midfielders: Climax Lawrence, Steven Dias, Renedy Singh, Anthony Pereira, Mehrajuddin Waddoo, Syed Rahim Nabi, N.P. Pradeep; Forwards: Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chettri, Sushil Singh, Abhishek Yadav.