McClaren hints Crouch will face Estonia

Peter Crouch is expected to start England's Euro 2008 qualifier as Steve McClaren has hinted at making changes.

Alan Smith played alongside Michael Owen in the 1-1 friendly draw against Brazil on Friday, but Crouch is likely to return for the crucial game in Tallinn, having scored five goals for England since McClaren took charge.

When asked if Crouch will start against Estonia, McClaren said: "We will have to see. As I said before the Brazil game that wasn't necessarily the team for Estonia. We'll have to look at certain things and digest it and it may be different.

"I've seen Estonia play against quite a few teams and it's been quite open, they try and play good football. Maybe they will drop right back, who knows, but whatever we come up against we have to make sure we can counter it."

England are currently fourth in their Euro 2008 group after disappointing draws with Macedonia and Israel and a defeat in Croatia.

Only the top two teams can qualify for the competition and reports claim McClaren will be sacked if England lose to Estonia.

McClaren added: "I have never really felt that pressure. I have a great belief in these players and when they come together as a team they are a very, very good team.

"We emphasised the amount of challenges, tackles, responsibility and discipline and individual flexibility.

"We have emphasised that and when you have got that, you're a team and we need to keep that.

"We talked about it after Andorra and Israel that we have to play as a team. We have great individuals but we have to play as a team."

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