With all the talk about the infamous injury list, it appears that certain quarters have become thoroughly wrapped up in who isn’t available for England in tomorrow's game with Israel. Despite the fact that England are missing around a dozen potential squad members, it should be remembered that only two (Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney) would have been be likely to start.

Defensively, England have the luxury of an excellent and fully fit back five with Paul Robinson, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole expected to play. Should Steve McClaren decide to drop the under-pressure Robinson, he should be positive in his replacement and pick young Scott Carson. David James would be a step backwards and is no more error-free than Robinson. His Portsmouth form has been indifferent and he has been at fault for goals against Chelsea, Arsenal and Bolton this season.

With England expecting to face a negative approach from the Israelis, it is imperative that the midfield is positive and creative. As ever, McClaren has a wealth of talent at his disposal. Shaun Wright-Phillips has seemingly regained his form and should patrol the flanks with his club team mate, Joe Cole. Steven Gerrard is likely to start, but even without their star man, England have many options in the middle. Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves may be defensive but have more than enough quality to overwhelm Israel and it should not be forgotten that Hargreaves was voted England’s best player at the 2006 World Cup.

'It is about time that McClaren distanced himself from the negativity, conquered the adversity and ultimately proved himself'

Alternatively, McClaren also has the option of switching Joe Cole inside and the highly underrated Gareth Barry to choose from should the need arise. Certainly, if McClaren’s midfield does not click then he will only have himself to blame, as meaningless friendlies against Brazil and Germany should have been used to try out new players. With the success of the Under-21s over the summer, surely the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Mark Noble, David Bentley, Ashley Young, James Milner and Nigel Reo-Coker deserved their chance over a jaded David Beckham or proven performers such as Gerrard or Lampard?

In terms of goal-scorers, England’s options are for once limited but it is frustrating that McClaren has once again looked to the past and recalled Emile Heskey. It would have been a brave decision for him to call up Theo Walcott, Matt Derbyshire or Leroy Lita for example, but the public would arguably have been more impressed by those possibilities and Israel more troubled by an unknown quantity.

It has not helped that the England boss has made some rather bizarre and rather fruitless selections up front in past friendlies. The minutes given to Alan Smith and Kieron Dyer were particularly painful to watch, especially for Andrew Johnson and Jermain Defoe, two strikers with far better qualities. With Michael Owen set to start, it is crucial that he has a partner who will get the best out of him. Andrew Johnson would be a tireless worker beside him but McClaren does not appear to favour the Evertonian over target man Heskey.