Stevie Gerrard to score first goal
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xL
LONDON, England -- Coach Steve McClaren has given Steven Gerrard a place in England's starting line-up for the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel at Wembley on Saturday, despite the Liverpool star's much-publicized broken toe.
The star midfielder came through a training session on Friday but could require a pain-killing injection before the match.
England are in desperate need of a win to maintain realistic hopes of reaching next summer's finals in Switzerland and Austria, but have been hard-hit by injuries.
Fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves remains a doubt because of a thigh injury sustained during training on Wednesday. The Manchester United player will undergo a fitness test on the morning of the match.
"Stevie has trained twice this week without an (pain-killing) injection and if he plays tomorrow like he did this morning everyone will be delighted," McClaren said.
"That's the kind of performance that we need and it's a big boost for everybody, most of all Stevie G because he desperately wants to play in this game. He came through it with no problems whatsoever."
Midfielders Frank Lampard and David Beckham and striker Wayne Rooney have already been ruled out through various injuries.
McClaren also confirmed that Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson will start in goal despite his mistake in England's 2-1 defeat to Germany last month at Wembley.
England, who are also at home to Russia next Wednesday in another key qualifier, are fourth in their group.
McClaren will be looking to his strike force to deliver and is likely to recall Emile Heskey to play alongside fit-again Michael Owen.
"All the strikers have done well," McClaren told Sky Sports News.
"The biggest boost we have got is that Michael Owen is fit because he's a big player for us.
"But the main thing is, who is going to supply, get the ball into the key areas where Michael works." McClaren added:
"The big games are when we have to deliver and generally when it comes to the big games, the big games in qualifying, the players have delivered."
