20 November 2007
VIDEO: Steve McClaren press conference
Steve McClaren talks to the media ahead of the final Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

England

v

Croatia
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
8pm, Wednesday 21 November 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC



Steve McClaren believes the presence of injured stars John Terry and Wayne Rooney will provide a massive lift to his squad as they prepare fir Wednesday's make or break European Championship qualifier against Croatia.

Injured players Terry and Rooney, along with Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand will all be in attendance at Wembley and McClaren believes the experience those players can impart on the younger generation will be invaluable.

The England Head Coach said: "The likes of Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Rio Ferdinand will all be joining us for the game.

"It has been a long journey and we want everybody there when hopefully we will finish the job.

"John Terry will be around the team and do his usual thing as if he is playing and that will be key to the players. But it is going to be all about those players who will be crossing the white line and the substitutes who might make an impact."

McClaren is looking forward to the opportunity to book England's place at next summer's tournament and stressed he always believed qualification would go right down to the wire and believes there is still work to do.

He added: "I'm excited because last week was a difficult one. We were in a vacuum. The campaign is over 12 games and they are not over yet - it isn't done and dusted.

"There are no great expectations from us. We know we have a job to do and it will be a difficult game against a very good Croatia team.

"But we are in a far better position than we were now we have our destiny back in our hands. We were always confident it would come down to the twelfth game and it has. We are in a good position but we have to make sure we finish it off."