Gerrard: Whatever happens, don't sack McClaren

The team and their coach could know their fate on Saturday, when Russia travel to Israel and Croatia go to Skopje to meet Macedonia.

If both Russia and Croatia win, then England will not qualify for the finals of Euro 2008 and the match against Slaven Bilic's team, at Wembley four days later, could develop into an unpleasant evening for McClaren and the Football Association.

But Gerrard, who will be captain in the absence of the injured John Terry, said: "If the worst comes to the worst I don't think people should call for the manager's head. I think he is the right man for the job.

"Over this campaign it is down to the players to take the criticism as well as the manager and the coaching staff. The players have to take responsibility as well.

"We are in a bit of a difficult situation and it is frustrating as a player to have it in other people's hands waiting for other people's results.

"We are not giving up yet. We have got to try to be positive. We have got to keep our fingers crossed that Israel can do us a massive favour.

"Then we can put all our efforts and focus into the Croatia game. "We know we can put in a big performance against them."

David Beckham offered some positive news for McClaren as he came through 73 minutes of an exhibition match in Minnesota unscathed before jumping on a plane for London.

And Sven Goran Eriksson also predicted that England will qualify.

The former national team manager is one of the few people left in this country that believe McClaren's men will make it to next summer's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

The Manchester City boss had some words of comfort for his former No2 as he urged the whole nation to think more positively. He said: "I don't think Russia will win in Israel - it will be a draw or they will lose because the home record of Israel is very, very good. England will qualify, I am sure of that."

But Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes Israel's ability to keep England in the tournament will suffer as a result of the loss of Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun to a groin injury.

He said: "Benayoun is their captain and best player and Israel will miss him. He is a wonderful leader who played for me at Maccabi Haifa for two years."

If England fail to make it, Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick will be under pressure to make an early decision on McClaren's future from the rest of the seven-man board. They are thought to be split over whether to keep McClaren in charge or not.