McClaren: Becks is immense

Beckham, set to join Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, created goals for Peter Crouch and Michael Owen after Joe Cole had set England on their way to a 3-0 win with an excellent finish.

McClaren said: "You can see it, you know it and I know it: he's immense. He has set up three of the four goals we have scored since he came back and that's why he's in the team."

He added: "David Beckham is a very, very good player and deserves to be in the team. He got a knock early on but didn't want to come off and when he's playing like that he's invaluable to us but once we got the second and third we could allow him to take a breather.

"Now he can get back to Real Madrid and try and win a medal."

There was further good news for McClaren after England's chief rivals in Group E, Russia and Croatia, drew 0-0 in Zagreb. Although England remain fourth they are now within a point of Russia and have cut the difference with Croatia to three. Israel, who have played a game more, are also three points ahead.

The victory also eases the pressure on McClaren who before this game had seen his England side win just one match in their last seven.

McClaren added: "It's in our hands now, this was a big result for us, we had to win it, won it comfortably and professionally and that puts us back in the group.

"Four of the last five games are at Wembley and we saw on Friday what a great atmosphere and home it's going to be for England.

"But we have still got a lot to prove - we can't think we have turned the corner because we haven't yet."