England coach Steve McClaren is confident Aaron Lennon has the experience
to handle the pressure of next week's crucial Euro 2008 clash with Israel.
Lennon is tipped to fill the problematic left-sided midfield berth when
England head to Tel Aviv looking to revive their hopes of reaching next
summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland.
McClaren has earmarked Lennon for a starring role in his new-look squad
ever since the Tottenham man sparkled on the World Cup stage in Germany.
Unfortunately, illness and injury have limited the 19-year-old to just
three substitute appearances for his country since McClaren succeeded
Sven-Goran Eriksson as coach.
But now, if a knock to the knee suffered in Spurs' UEFA Cup win over Braga
last night - which will be assessed this morning - does not prove serious,
McClaren is ready to let Lennon loose.
England need at least a draw in Israel to maintain a realistic hope of
qualifying and McClaren is convinced the Leeds-born star has the ability
to cause problems to the most solid of defences.
'Aaron came into the World Cup squad and excited us from day one,' said
McClaren. 'He still has a long way to go but he has a lot of potential
and we expected to see a lot more of him this season than we actually
have because of illness and injuries.
'We need experience in this game but he has been to a World Cup, so I
have no hesitation putting him into my squad.'
With Steven Gerrard set to be named on the right of a four-man midfield
which will feature Owen Hargreaves and Frank Lampard in the middle, England's
engine room looks strong.
McClaren does have problems in front and at the back though.
Jamie Carragher is favoured to win the battle with Phil Neville for the
left-back slot, while Preston's David Nugent has been earmarked for a
call-up should the 23-man England squad that will be named tomorrow suffer
any withdrawals in the striking department.
With up to a dozen players duo to feature in FA Cup replays on Monday,
McClaren's preparation is hardly ideal for such a key game.
But he has called on his players to show the traditional English bulldog
spirit as they attempt to safeguard their place in the competition.
'It is when our backs are against the wall that the big players have to
step forward,' he said.
'I have been involved with this squad for five years now and we have had
bad results in every qualification, which have raised doubts about reaching
the finals of major tournaments.
'The key thing is to remain relaxed and not worry about it. We need the
players to go out with an aggressive, positive attitude. We have done
it before. We are good enough to do it again.'
,
March 15, 2007.
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