Midfield headache compounds McClaren's England worries

MANCHESTER, England, Oct 8 (Reuters) England's dismal 0-0 draw with Macedonia has left Steve McClaren with his first major headache as England coach -- and only days to find a remedy before facing Croatia in another Euro 2008 qualifier.

Lacking bite up front and fluidity in midfield yesterday, England's frustration was compounded by a yellow card for Steven Gerrard which rules him out of Wednesday's tie in Zagreb.

It means England will go into the Group E game without three of their four first-choice midfielders -- since Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole are injured -- and without their best reserve, Aaron Lennon, also sidelined.

In addition, they have a winger in Stewart Downing who is struggling at international level and a talismanic striker in Wayne Rooney who remains rooted at the bottom of a dip in form.

Frank Lampard, the only fit regular in midfield, continued the disappointing form he showed at the World Cup with another fitful display at Old Trafford.

However, individual failings were only part of the reason for yesterday's setback after last month's 1-0 away win over Macedonia and a 5-0 drubbing of Andorra.

Collectively, England's passing was poor. It not only handicapped their attempts to put Macedonia under sustained pressure, but also prevented them from delivering a killer ball into the box.

''We've normally been quick off the mark and on the front foot -- and we weren't in the first 10-15 minutes,'' McClaren conceded.

''And I think that set the tone.

''We didn't drive at them. We did in certain periods but we didn't sustain it for long enough. Our passing wasn't very good and it disappointed me we never scored (from) our final ball.

''We look at our performance and we've got to be better. We know that.'' McClaren is clearly counting on his players being both chastened and determined to make amends.

''We have to make sure we bounce back on Wednedsay... that we regroup, stick together and show the character and resilience that I know is in the team,'' he said.

''I know it's there. I can see it in the faces after the game.

They want to put it right and we're very fortunate that in four days' time we've got another game to do that.'' GOOD INTENTIONS However, McClaren will need more than just his players' good intention to deliver a marked improvement.

With his honeymoon period already over after little more than two months and his team only leading Israel on goal difference at the top of the group, McClaren needs to show he can make the right team selection.

Gerrard's absence, the loss of Lennon and the apparent decision to consign David Beckham to history leaves him with no obvious choice on the right beyond Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Though he looked sharp on the left when he replaced Downing on yesterday, Wright-Phillips has yet to be a first-team regular with Chelsea and is only just back in the England side.

Downing, McClaren's protege at Middlesbrough, could stay on the left, though Ashley Cole could be pushed forward and Wayne Bridge inserted at left back. Scott Parker and Ledley King are alternatives to Michael Carrick as the holding midfielder.

Tactically, McClaren has shown his willingness to drop their 4-4-2 line-up by experimenting with 3-5-2 in training last week.

Whoever is chosen, whether regulars or reserves, McClaren is entitled to ask his men for a performance to be proud of in Croatia.

After yesterday, they certainly owe him one.

REUTERS AB PM1547