England boss Steve McClaren will be boosted by the news that Three Lions skipper John Terry and his Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard are both fit for Wednesday’s crucial EURO 2008 Group E qualifier against Estonia, in a match that if England lose, will almost definitely end McClaren’s reign as England head coach.

Chillingly for McClaren, The Football Association chief executive, Brian Barwick, has said that McClaren had the governing body's unconditional support, but only up until tomorrow's game.

On the plus side, England captain John Terry came through England's training session on Monday unscathed after being substituted with a tight hamstring during England’s 1-1 draw against Brazil in their international friendly at Wembley on Friday night, and has now been passed fit to play in Tallinn.

Blues midfielder Joe Cole, who also picked up a slight injury against Brazil, also came through the session and will be ready for Wednesday’s must-win encounter at the A Le Coq Arena in Tallinn.

Saturday's results in the other Euro 2008 Group E qualifiers mean that England currently lie in fourth place in Group E with 11 points, behind leaders Croatia on 16 points, Russia second with 14 points and Israel level on 14 points, but with one more game played, a win is a necessity if England want to have any chance of qualifying for next years tournament.

The match on Saturday saw Estonia, who have so far failed to notch up a single point, or even score a goal in qualifying, give Croatia a run for their money in their slender 1-0 loss.

The game, which was attended by McClaren, would have given the England boss a hint of the atmosphere that awaits the Three Lions players, with fanatical support from the Estonian fans during the match against Croatia.

McClaren has insiststed to his players that if they do their jobs properly, then a victory is there for the taking.

“All games are difficult at international level, especially away games, but it's not really about Estonia, it's about what we do,” said McClaren. “If we do the job as we have done with the B game against Albania and against Brazil we expect to win.

“Despite not winning games they actually try and play football, they try and attack so hopefully it will be an open game.”

Peter Crouch, who is England's top goalscorer this season, and fellow striker Jermain Defoe both bizarrely seeming to be out of favour with the England manager.

With Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney suspended and after a disappointing performance from Alan Smith up front against Brazil, it seems odd that McClaren replaced Alan Smith with Kieron Dyer, who played behind Michael Owen, despite the fact that a massive centre-forward like Crouch would clearly have posed more of a danger from David Beckham's crosses.

Crouch, who has scored five goals in six starts since McClaren took over after last years World Cup Finals, should partner Michael Owen in attack, but McClaren may choose to stick with Smith.

In midfield, Manchester United new-boy Owen Hargreaves is still not match-fit, so Frank Lampard and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard are likely to remain at the heart of midfield, with Beckham again used on the right-wing.

The Three Lions are already without Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Micah Richards, Ashley Cole and Jonathan Woodgate in defence, while Wayne Bridge is still doubtful with a hip problem.

With Ferdinand out, Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher is likely to partner skipper John Terry in central defence. While it is rumoured that Kieron Dyer may be deployed as a right-back at some point in the game against Estonia to cover for Beckham's lack of pace.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati