There is always a chance that England might shoot themselves in the foot.

Where Stevie plays will depend on the formation adopted by Croatia. Hiddink is putting pressure on Bilic by stating that he's sure Croatia will win and he expects them to go for 3 points. If I were Bilic, I'd try not to get influenced. I mean, what's in it for him to go for a win when they've already qualified? Even if they lose by a goal, they still top the group.

Peter Crouch is already tipping England to make a big impact at the finals of Euro 2008.

England are yet still to qualify, but they only need a point against Croatia on Wednesday after Israel's defeat of Russia put Steve McClaren's men back in pole position in Group E.

However, Crouch has little doubt that England will be in Austria and Switzerland next summer.

Eyes on the Alps

"We are maybe a bit wounded but we are capable of a lot more and when we qualify, like we all believe we will, we will come good in the tournament and that is something we are looking forward to," Crouch told Sky Sports News.

With Michael Owen out through injury Crouch could very well start as a lone striker against Croatia - something he is happy to do.

"I feel I have played enough games to take on that responsibility and, if selected, I think I can do the business," he said.

"I've done it before and I've done it for England. There are attacking players in the side who can join up with you and link the play."

Crouch admits watching Israel's win over Russia was a nervy affair but he is adamant England will make the most of their stroke of luck.

Heart in the mouth

"It was heart in the mouth stuff at times and difficult to watch and it is a shame we were in that position but it was an exciting game and luckily Israel came up trumps for us," he said.

"We have stayed positive throughout the campaign, we have had good results and bad results - but we have all been positive and we all believed Israel would get a result and they did.

"It was out of our hands for a little bit which was frustrating but it is up to us now and we have to stand up and be counted and we are positive we will do."

Crouch also insists the players are fully behind their boss McClaren.

"We have all enjoyed working for Steve, he is fantastic around the training ground and all the players are behind him," he said.

"We have got ourselves in a position where we can qualify and everyone has talked and talked, but we are in a position where we can qualify and we are confident we can have a good tournament when we do."

Beckham

The Liverpool star also backed David Beckham, who is in line to win his 99th cap against Croatia, to produce the goods.

"I think we have got a lot of quality in the side and I have been lucky to get on the end of the a lot from David and I know he is invariably going to find me if he gets the cross in," he continued.

"But Shaun Wright-Phillips, if selected, is another creative player. Any one of the midfielders are capable of creating goals."

"There's a belief there. Apart from 10 minutes in Russia, when we didn't play well and conceded two goals, we've performed for the last 10 games. We want to keep that going against Croatia.

as usual........English players overhype and praise themselves again.....eventhough they are in this terrible situation now.... Right after the Israel match, McClown talked like they are in the Final oledi.....

i hope they lose the Croatia match....i really do........

why cant they just shut up?? talk big all the time then lose oledi cari lubang sorok face izit?? oh well....that happens most of the time on England.......

If McClaren is sacked, who will you guys want the next manager to be?

If McClaren is sacked, who will you guys want the next manager to be?

Alan Shearer or Jose Mourinho...

so the match will be on thursday 350am? after wenesday nite?

i was just about to ask dat as well..it states wednesday in the papers...but isnt 22nd a friday??

England coach Steve McClaren faces a tough decision over whether to select David Beckham for the crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday.

England need a point to go through to the finals but the LA Galaxy star's fitness has been called into question.

However, Arsene Wenger believes he will go for Beckham in a five-man midfield, with lone striker Peter Crouch.

"He'll pick experienced players, who know what it means not to make a mistake," Wenger told the BBC.

The Arsenal boss also backed Paul Robinson to replace Scott Carson in goal for the Wembley decider.

"I still think he will go with continuity in goal and the whole country must be behind that because Robinson has delivered good games for England," said Wenger.

"I believe in this kind of game when you are manager, you are always tempted to play with a bit of security. That is why he will go with Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Steven Gerrard and Beckham," he added.

He is backing England to achieve the scoreline that will enable them to top their group.

Wenger said: "I know England have most often used 4-4-2 but I feel there could be an innovation on Wednesday. I personally think it will be 2-0."

Ex-England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, a former team-mate of Robinson at Leeds, has also backed him to see off the challenge of Carson.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think you have got to go with experience and it may be a chance for Paul to cast away the demons of the game against Croatia away.

"In these instances you have got to be a big man and go out there and give a big performance.

"You have got to rely on him, although Scott had a very good debut and is also a very good goalkeeper."

But McClaren has other decisions to ponder, including the crucial midfield balance.

Midfielder Joe Cole would be the fifth man in a midfield, with Beckham, who had a mixed game in the friendly against Austria, supplying the ball to Crouch.

The Liverpool striker is the only experienced international front man available in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Spurs striker Darren Bent has been drafted in after Owen was ruled out with a thigh injury picked up in the 1-0 victory in Austria on Friday.

McClaren's injury concerns have been eased with defensive midfielder Owen Hargreaves being available.

Hargreaves had to pull out of the game against Austria with tendonitis.

McClaren is also likely to be without captain John Terry with a knee problem and fellow centre-back Rio Ferdinand, who is suspended.

Terry was with the England squad at their base in Hertfordshire on Sunday but was not involved in Monday's training session.

The Chelsea captain will take a place on the England bench on Wednesday in a supporting capacity.

MOSCOW, Nov 19 (Reuters) - A Russian billionaire has offered incentives to Croatia for beating England in their final Euro 2008 Group E qualifier on Wednesday, a result that would give Russia a chance to reach the finals.

Spartak Moscow owner Leonid Fedun said he would donate four Mercedes cars to Croatia's best players if their team comes away with a win at Wembley.

Russia had been in the driving seat following last month's shock win over England in Moscow but lost the initiative after a 2-1 defeat by Israel in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

They must now beat Andorra and hope England lose to Croatia.
Not many in Russia, however, believe that already-qualified Croatia, who lost 2-0 to Macedonia in Skopje on Saturday after securing their passage to Euro finals, have the ability to beat England at Wembley.

Fedun said he simply wanted to boost Croatia's morale by offering their goalkeeper and the top three field players each a Mercedes. Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa plays for Spartak.

"I'm doing this strictly as a fan," Fedun was quoted as saying by the Russian media.

"If we have even a small chance we must try to use it."

Israeli media reported that an English businessman had promised a Mercedes to the Israel player, who scored a winning goal against Russia.

However, the Israeli FA said Omer Golan, who struck the injury-time winner, would not be able to accept the gift because it was deemed to be "beyond the bounds of sportsmanship".

(Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov; editing by Pritha Sarkar)

If McClaren is sacked, who will you guys want the next manager to be?