Steve McClaren's psychological ploy worked a treat at Wembley on Saturday - and now the England coach wants more of the same from Wayne Rooney.

In praising the Manchester United striker's honest admission about two years of below-par performances for England earlier this week, McClaren also added the warning his 21-year-old forward was still far from the finished product.

By labelling Rooney as 'potentially world-class', McClaren was delivering the kind of back-handed compliment guaranteed to draw a reaction. And what a reaction it was.

Rooney may have been edged out of man-of-the-match honours by the excellent Gareth Barry during Saturday's 3-0 win over Estonia.

But the energy in his performance was something to behold and in scoring England's second, belting home Joe Cole's cross with a neat shot on the turn, Rooney was ending a goal drought in competitive combat that stretched back to Euro 2004.

And, while there was no public admission his jibe about Rooney's talent was specifically aimed at triggering the performance the Merseysider produced, McClaren did not really have to. His beaming smile said it all about a job very well done indeed.

"When players of this standard receive criticism, they have to prove themselves on the pitch," said the England coach.

"That is exactly what Wayne has done. Now he has to do is consistently.

"He admitted himself he had a point to prove and he has gone a long way to doing that.

"We all know Wayne is a threat and I repeat, he has the potential to be world class. I am delighted with his goal but his overall contribution to the team was very good. He got better and better as the game went on."

It was not a blanket assessment of England's all-round performance as their effectiveness tapered off markedly as the second half wore on.

However, that did not really matter as by the half hour point, McClaren's team were three goals to the good, had victory in the bag and were merely saving energy for Wednesday's meeting with Russia in Moscow where victory will seal a place at Euro 2008 with a month to spare.

Such a prospect was virtually unthinkable six months ago when McClaren and his team were mercilessly jeered and heckled by their own fans after an atrocious performance against Andorra in Barcelona.

At that point it did not appear McClaren would even survive the summer, let alone reach a point where can preside over such a stylish route to Austria and Switzerland.

"I said all along qualifying is a long campaign," reflected McClaren.

"I am not really surprised at the position we are in now. I have always had great belief in these players and the quality we have got.

"It just frustrated me at the time that we weren't doing better, just as it delights me that we finally are doing that now."

Indeed, the only remnant from that sorry day is the incessant booing of Frank Lampard, who was introduced for Michael Owen to a notably negative reaction.

Given Lampard could yet figure at the Luzhniki Stadium this week as McClaren toys with the idea of a 4-3-3 formation to stifle Guus Hiddink's men, it was one of only two real minuses.

The other was the loss of Ashley Cole to an ankle injury which is almost certain to see him miss the Russia trip, and possibly quite a while after that given the amount of pain the Chelsea full-back was in as he was stretchered down the tunnel.

Nicky Shorey, Phil Neville and Joleon Lescott, who looked hesitant as he made his debut from the bench, are the trio vying to replace Cole if, as expected, he is ruled out.

Skipper John Terry continues to improve and his fitness will be assessed on Monday morning before England head to the Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham for their first experience of the 'field turf' on which this week's game will be played.

McClaren now knows a win will seal his side's fate, while a draw would leave them requiring just a single point from their final game against Croatia at Wembley next month to confirm their place among the last 16.

Given the stakes are so high, it is perhaps understandable the former Middlesbrough coach prefers not to let minds become clouded by the pitch issue.

"I am not worried about it at all," he said.

"We have done our research over 100 games that have been played on it and there is no difference between the field turf surface and grass at all. Whatever we are presented with, we will cope with.

"Win on Wednesday and we will be through. What a great opportunity that is. We should have no fears about it at all."