McClaren backs Owen-Rooney attack

Updated 08.54 Mon Oct 15 2007

Keywords: Russia, Euro 2008, England, Steve McClaren, Estonia, Wayne Rooney, sport, football, Michael Owen

Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney can forge an effective strike partnership, according to England head coach Steve McClaren.

Rooney scored his first competitive goal for his country since Euro 2004 as England moved to within touching distance of booking their place in next summer's European Championship finals in Switzerland and Austria.

"The combination between Wayne and Michael will probably get just as many and that is the key thing. It is not about individuals scoring goals, it is about the team doing it" - Steve McClaren

And while Owen, who was playing from the start at Wembley on Saturday just two weeks after undergoing surgery, failed to add to his tally of 40 goals, McClaren believes the partnership will work.

He said: "People talk about statistics but football is not about individuals. It is about pairings and it is about the team.

"Michael might score more with Emile Heskey but Emile hasn't scored many goals. Michael got them all.

"They may be distributed slightly differently but the combination between Wayne and Michael will probably get just as many and that is the key thing. It is not about individuals scoring goals, it is about the team doing it."

Emile Heskey and Owen impressed as England swept both Israel and Russia aside at Wembley last month but injury ruled the Wigan striker out of contention for this month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Estonia and Russia.

Rooney had been injured for those matches but returned with a goal which is sure to give the Manchester United star a boost.