McClaren expects Downing to shine

England coach Steve McClaren has backed Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing to prove his critics wrong in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Macedonia.

McClaren said the 22-year-old deserved more credit for his display in the 5-0 win over Andorra on Saturday.

"He crossed nine balls during the game, which was double anyone else on the park," said McClaren.

"It's all about production. Yes, we can play football but at the end of the day it's about production."

McClaren, who was Downing's club manager at Boro, said it was important not to undervalue the winger's contribution to the England team effort.

"Stewart is there to provide the width, to give space to other people, to give space to Ashley Cole to overlap and exploit, if he has doubled up, and Ashley provided two of the goals," added McClaren.

"Stewart's balls were quality balls into the box so he is doing his job for the team and that's the most important thing - the team."

McClaren said the width provided by Downing on the left and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard on the right was essential to the balance of his team.

Gerrard is in line to win his 50th England cap against Macedonia and McClaren said he expected the 26-year-old midfielder to make an even bigger impact for his country during the second half of his career.

"Steven can get better. It is a tremendous achievement, 50 caps at his age, and he has got great experience and is using that experience really well with England and Liverpool," he said.

"I think he can improve and get better but he is one of those inspirational players whose performance inspires everyone else and he is one of those who at any moment can win a game for you. People like that in your team are invaluable."

McClaren also backed Frank Lampard, after the Chelsea midfielder's performance against Andorra was criticised.

"He had more touches of the ball than anyone else, he had more passes than anyone else," said McClaren.

"His success rate was higher than anyone else on the park and he received and passed the ball more than 100 times.

"That is a phenomenal number of times. I've never know anyone else achieve that amount."

McClaren has warned his side they must combat a hostile atmosphere and dangerous opponents when they face Macedonia in Skopje.

England's last visit three years ago resulted in Sven-Goran Eriksson's side winning 2-1 in a match marred by racist taunts towards England's players and the burning of the flag of St George on the terraces.

"In qualifying for tournaments, you have to play away and deal with everything that is thrown at you," he said.

"We are going to get quite a few things thrown at us and we have to handle that and make sure
we come out and win the game."

Skipper John Terry has urged England's players to demonstrate their professionalism in the
tough atmosphere of Skopje.

"The fans were very loud here three years ago, singing and chanting and were quite close to the pitch," he said.

"I'm sure it will be the same again on Wednesday.

"We noticed the flag being burned. Someone mentioned it and we turned around and saw a glimpse of it happening. That's still in the memory and I felt a little bit angry at the time.

"It's our country and we are all out there feeling proud. But we are all grown up and experienced enough to know what we will be coming into on Wednesday. We know what to expect."

McClaren added right winger Aaron Lennon's performances were helping the Tottenham youngster move closer to a starting berth in the team.

"Aaron is definitely knocking on the door," he said. "He made an impression at the World Cup and he has continued that since. He has made an impact when he has come on.

"What we are looking for in this squad is competition and people are looking over their shoulder at Aaron Lennon.

"The 11 who start know they have to perform because there are people like Aaron on the bench who can come on and perform. It is great for me as a coach.

"Aaron is that type of impact player. Whenever he receives the ball, there is a buzz of excitement from the fans. "We see it every day in training. He is some player, a young man with great potential. At the moment he is coming on as a sub and filling that role very well. In the future, who knows?"

From: BBC