England take on Croatia tonight in a do-or-die game, and Assistant Coach McClaren believes it is time for the big guns to fire.

He expects the likes of David Beckham, Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and put in the kind of performance that guarantees a famous victory.

That is crucial for England because defeat against the Croats would mean elimination from the tournament, while a draw or a win sends the Three Lions roaring on to the knockout stage.

McClaren said: "In games you need to win, you expect your big players to produce and that's what we will be looking for from now on as, in effect, we're into the knock-out stages already. Players have to step forward and become match-winners.

"The team is still up for discussion - we do discuss these things! Everyone can see that we can play better and we have to do that.

"What we've done so far is play our strongest team and, at the right times, we've taken off players who were maybe looking tired and we needed to freshen things up.

"What has pleased me has been the effect which the substitutes have had in coming on. That is very good in a tournament, to have a bench that you can rely on.

"But we have to concentrate hard against Croatia. We gave away too many free-kicks in bad areas against Switzerland. But we kept a clean sheet and defended every set-piece well.

"We're not as big as many other teams, but you have to be organised and have people who are willing to attack the ball. Sol has been immense as he always is and he needs to be again."

Of course the other player expected to be a major influence tonight is young Wayne Rooney, who has taken the tournament by storm so far.

His two goals against Switzerland have catapulted him into the limelight and McClaren expects him to continue his astonishing form tonight.

"Wayne doesn't let anyone relax, he keeps defenders busy for 95 minute," he said. "You can't ever think that you've got him in your pocket as you never have. At any moment, in a split-second, he could produce something that is world-class and win you a match.

"Two things spring to mind - the first goal he scored against Arsenal out of the blue and then the way that he got the penalty against France. Has anybody seen anyone knock Thuram out of the way like that or go round Silvestre like that? You can't relax against him.

"He's got great intelligence and awareness to pick the right positions to pick the ball up and cause trouble."

There are already stories coming from the Croatian camp of plans to combat Rooney by attempting to wind him up. The belief of manager Otto Baric is that the Everton man could lose his temper if put under pressure.

But McClaren is adamant the striker is mature enough to deal with it.

He said: "One thing that Svenhas always mentioned before any game is a cool head and discipline. He'll mention it again. Wayne knows those responsibilities and Collina is also a terrific referee.

"It can be a bit of a concern but you can't take away what Wayne Rooney is and the temperament that he's got.

"What does help is that we've got some senior players who, after a few controversial incidents against the Swiss, Gary Neville and David Beckham were quickly defusing things and calming him down.

"Other players can help him and that's a strength we've got in this camp. Everyone looks out for everyone else in any team structure, but especially with Wayne being so young who could be targeted.

"I think it's a sheer desire to win and to do well for Wayne. A sheer desire to play football. You can't take that away from anybody and all the best players have that competitiveness."

McClaren has also jumped to the defence of striker Owen, who is still waiting for his first goal of Euro 2004. And he believes other teams have been concentrating on keeping the Liverpool man quiet - giving Rooney the chance to steal the limelight.

He said: "In any team, you identify the strengths. In our first game, we looked at Zidane and Henry, and we knew they would be a threat. So our game-plan more or less structured around those players.

"Michael Owen is the number one goalscorer for England, whom everyone fears, so there will be a game-plan to stop him.

"But if they stop that, that doesn't mean they stop things for other players and that's why other players have had room and Wayne Rooney has contributed so greatly. Credit goes to Michael for that.

"He practically scored the first goal himself in setting it up and as long as he's contributing to the team, he's doing a great job. We need him to perform again against Croatia - it's time for everyone to put in a big performance."