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McClaren gives backing to Rooney McClaren demands England passion
(1 day later)
England coach Steve McClaren has admitted that striker Wayne Rooney has been "frustrated" after failing to rediscover his goalscoring touch. Steve McClaren has called for England's players to prove their "pride and passion" when they take on Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old was substituted during the 0-0 draw against Macedonia but McClaren suggested he is likely to be picked for Wednesday's game in Croatia. "The sign of a good team is the reaction after a disappointing result," said McClaren, who saw England stumble to a draw with Macedonia on Saturday.
The England coach said: "You can't just give up. I've seen him work extra in training. He's frustrated. "The reaction has to be positive. That's what I'm looking for.
"Everyone knows what he can do. The next game may be where it happens." "We're looking for pride, passion, attitude and character and I'll be picking a team that epitomises that."
Rooney has not scored in a competitive international since Euro 2004 and has suffered from injuries and suspensions in the last year, which have affected his game. McClaren said he already knows his team, providing "one or two niggles" clear up.
He has been the best player in training England midfielder Steve Gerrard Reports suggest Scott Parker could win his first international start in a five-man midfield and while the England boss would not confirm this, he was full of praise for the Newcastle skipper.
He has also not scored for his club Manchester United since August. "He has really impressed me in training this week," he said. "He has come on and matured in the last couple of years.
McClaren added: "He is below his usual performances but he's a great player. Nobody is more frustrated than Wayne Rooney. We have come here for three points England captain John Terry
"I'm not going to say who is going to play on Wednesday. He needs to work through it and he will start working through it on Monday." "He epitomises what the English game is all about: he can play, he can pass, he can tackle and he's got character and attitude."
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard, who is suspended for the Euro 2008 qualifier in Zagreb, believes Rooney will "torment" Wednesday's opponents. If he plays, Parker will line up alongside former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard, who will win his 50th cap.
"There is pressure on Wayne because he is our best player, because he is the best player the country has got, but he will deal with it and I thought his performance against Macedonia was good," said the Liverpool midfielder. With Steven Gerrard unavailable through suspension, Lampard is ready to take on more responsibility.
"There is no problem with him and I am sure it won't be long before there is another man-of-the-match performance from him and a wonder goal around the corner. "With experience, you have to take on more responsibility," said the 28-year-old.
"He has been the best player in training. He has been smiling. I am not worried about Wayne's form." "Every time I play for England I try to be a good influence on the team, rather than just one individual."
England will train at home before flying to Zagreb on Tuesday. He added: "It's obviously a big loss for us, any team misses Steven Gerrard because he's such a fantastic player.
"But when you talk about the England squad you have to look further than any individual. It's a moment for someone else to come in and show they are worthy of a place in the team."
England skipper John Terry says the players are desperate to prove that the performance against Macedonia was a one-off.
"We know it will a tough match against Croatia," said the Chelsea defender.
"It is a hostile place to come and they have a good record but we are very much looking forward to it now.
"The game cannot come soon enough for us because we want to bounce back straight away from Saturday's draw.
"We have come here for three points and to get our campaign under way again."