McClaren wants team to adapt

The England coach is convinced a repeat of their weekend showing against Israel would be enough to see off Guus Hiddink's men and McClaren is looking for his players to show fluidity in both thought and movement in an effort to counter the visitors' threat.

"We have to try to do something Russia do not expect," he said. "The idea is not to play with a rigid system. It always has to be fluid and flexible. That was the key thing about Saturday's victory."

McClaren added: "Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips provided great width, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen dropped in at times to become an extra midfielder and both full-backs pushed forward as well."

And within that system, Gareth Barry provided the perfect platform for Steven Gerrard to dart around.

For once Gerrard might not have been one of England's stand-out performers. But, after a great degree of soul-searching, it appears McClaren has now settled on the Liverpool skipper as his own midfield talisman, a move Gerrard's inspirational performance against Andorra last March confirmed.

"Steven is the one player who can unlock doors and win a game in a split second," said McClaren. "He always has a job to do but with that comes a certain amount of freedom to play. You would have to ask him whether he lacked confidence before. All we are trying to do is get inside the person and put him on the pitch where he is most comfortable.

"I don't think he has ever been wasted but he does give more to our team in the middle. I always reflect back on that Andorra game. That night he was special and everyone followed. I think he has grown from that."