McClaren defends England's barren strikeforce

Michael Owen has gone four starts without a goal, the longest drought of his England career. Emile Heskey, overall record three goals in 27 appearances, has gone 10 matches and nine months since scoring for England in Munich. The last goal scored with the two in tandem was Owen's against Albania, nine months ago.

England's front pair are evidently not a duo to strike fear into the statistically-minded members of Denmark's defence in Niigata tomorrow.

Yesterday, however, England's coaching staff warned that there was more to the Liverpool strikers' games than goals, but that goals would come anyway.

"One thing this World Cup has shown is that the game is about teams, not individuals, and Emile Heskey is the classic team player," said Steve McClaren, Sven Goran Eriksson's assistant. "He works very hard for the team. He holds the ball up well, defends from the front and is a handful to play against. Since the Sweden game, when he received a lot of undeserved criticism, he's moved up front and been the perfect foil for Michael. They are on the same wavelength."

He added, of Owen: "Michael got the penalty, and hit the post, against Argentina and, on another day, could have had a hat-trick against Nigeria. I would only start to worry if he was not getting chances."

David Platt, the Under-21 coach who has joined Eriksson's staff in Japan, said: "Michael has such mental strength he will go on the pitch against Denmark believing he will score. He needs a goal, but his performances have not dipped. In every game he's been the one who has injected pace.

"They are a good partnership. When you have two strikers with pace it is difficult for the defence when one drops off, which is something Michael has introduced into his game. That gives him the chance to run at people because his marker will not sit on his back as that would leave Heskey, with his pace, one-on-one with his partner. Emile also has presence. For 20 minutes against Nigeria we did not have a platform. Emile then gave us that, holding the ball and enabling people to get up to support."

While England were professing confidence in their strikers, the Danes were worried about their leading goalscorer, Jon Dahl Tomasson. The Milan-bound forward, who has dumbfounded Newcastle fans in scoring four times in three games here, more than he managed in 23 Premiership matches with them, is struggling to be fit due to a groin injury. With his understudy, Peter Madsen, only completing his second training session in 10 days yesterday the Danes may have to change their system or use Peter Lovenkrands, of Rangers, as a central striker.

They also have problems in midfield with Bolton's Stig Tofting troubled by a foot injury. With Christian Poulsen suspended, Claus Jensen, of Charlton, may be recalled. England will be without Owen Hargreaves, whose leg injury continues to cause concern, and possibly Ashley Cole, who has a muscle problem. Wayne Bridge stands by. No other changes are anticipated.

McClaren, incidentally, would not be drawn on questions about his future in the England set-up. While he relishes working with Eriksson, opinion on the value of this is divided at Middlesbrough, where he is manager. While some feel his involvement is good for the club's profile, and its chances of attracting England players like Gareth Southgate, others feel he should be spending more time at The Riverside. The likelihood is that McClaren will step down from England duties at the end of the tournament, although much will depend on how the team progress and Eriksson's own position. If McClaren withdrew, Peter Taylor, still to find employment after quitting Brighton, would be the prime candidate to replace him. He rejected the chance to join Eriksson's scouting team here in favour of a summer looking for a club position, but could be offered a full-time contract.