England v Andorra
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
5pm, Saturday 2 September 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC
Live on BBC

To buy tickets online click here
1 September 2006
Steve McClaren press conference

Steve McClaren speaks to the media the day before his first competitive game in charge of England, as they take on Andorra.

Steve McClaren has nothing but praise for the way Jermain Defoe handled being left out of the World Cup squad during the summer and says he deserves his chance to stake a permanent place in the England attack for the European Championship qualifiers.

Defoe was forced to take an early holiday after he failed to make it into the final squad which flew to Germany.

The Tottenham striker showed his passion towards the Three Lions when he was placed on the standby list and was prepared to step in at the final minute if there was an injury to another forward.

Defoe is now hoping for a new lease of life under McClaren and the England head coach feels he has all the attributes to become a major star for his country.

McClaren said: “I have always admired Jermain Defoe as a player. I like the fact how he took the disappointment of the World Cup.

“I was with him in that period and it is hard for a player when they know they are on standby and then they have to go home.

“But he was professional and worked hard every day to prove a point. He has come back into this squad and it has given him a lift that we have got the confidence to actually play him.

“His performance against Greece said why he should be in the team. I have said to the players they have got the shirt and they have got to make sure they keep them.

“Strikers are a different breed than any other player. They build their confidence on scoring goals and being picked.

“Ideally all the players playing for England should be playing for their clubs regularly. But Jermain has got the games and he proved that against Greece.”

With Rio Ferdinand being ruled out of the opening game against Andorra on Saturday with a toe injury, his United team-mate Wes Brown is the strong favourite to replace him.

Brown has seen his career affected by injuries and has only gained nine caps for England. But McClaren is convinced he make the step up onto the international stage and show why he is regarded as one of the best defenders in the country.

McClaren added: “I worked with Wes when he was a young lad coming through at Manchester United. He had great potential and had everything.

“He had good pace and read the game well. He was good in the air and was aggressive. But injuries have curtailed him through his career for United and internationally.

“At the end of last season his performances were excellent and he has started this season very well. I had no hesitation in including him again. He has the right temperament, the right character for international football.”

Phil Neville is another player itching to get back into the England side after he was left out of the World Cup squad.

Neville has been outstanding for Everton in the early part of the season and could replace older brother Gary at right-back who has been ruled out with a calf injury.

McClaren said: “Phil Neville is a fantastic professional and that was epitomised during the summer when he was on holiday with his family and was asked to break that off.

“He had no hesitation in joining the England squad as a standby player. He deserves his place in the squad and with the injuries I have got, will have no hesitation putting him in the team.

“He has been a fantastic servant and has got great flexibility. He can play right back, left back and in midfield. We keep talking about that key word professionalism and we preach that to all the players. Phil Neville epitomises that.”

McClaren is not expecting an easy first game against Andorra and has warned his side to expect a tough battle.

With the nation expecting England to come away with a victory at Old Trafford, McClaren hopes his side can produce a performance that the fans can be proud of.

He said: “Andorra get eleven players behind the ball and are hard to break down. They are very aggressive in their style. I am going to stress to the players that we keep it controlled and do not get antagonised.

“In all the tapes I have watched they have been very aggressive in their tackling and are not afraid to upset their opponents.

“They are not easily beaten, but we need to stay in control and make sure we finish the game with eleven players on the park. I am looking for a strong referee.

“We have to be professional and make sure we do the job. We have to treat Andorra the same as if we were playing Brazil or Argentina. I have to make sure the preparations are right.

“The fans expect a good England performance and if we do our job, then I expect us to win the game.”