McClaren: I will be a success

Steve McClaren has insisted he is still the right man to lead England.

The former Middlesbrough boss came under fire last month when a disappointing home draw with Macedonia was followed by a defeat to Croatia.

The Three Lions now have an uphill task ahead of them to qualify for Euro 2008, but McClaren is staying calm.

He is confident in his own abilities and is looking to defy the critics with a victory over Holland in this Wednesday's friendly.

"I don't feel under pressure at all," he stressed. "I know what I am doing, I know where I am going, I know what I have got to achieve and I know how I am going to achieve that. As long as I know that it is all right.

"I don't like losing football matches but I have found out the reasons why it happened, discussed it with the players and now we move on."

McClaren has been able to call on Joe Cole for the first time this week following his recovery from injury, and the England boss looks set to unleash him against the Dutch.

Stewart Downing failed to impress on the left wing in Cole's absence, and McClaren is looking forward to casting his eye over the Chelsea man.

"I don't see Joe playing on the left as a problem," said McClaren.

"What we are looking for is blend and balance. In international football these days, you have to be flexible. Joe is certainly that because he can play in a variety of positions and be effective in them all.

"Speaking to Joe over the last couple of months, I can tell he is dying to be involved.

"There is no player who has been so disappointed not to be involved. He is a great lad and has fantastic enthusiasm. I am really excited about him being here."

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon also missed last month's two games, and McClaren is relieved and excited to have him back in the fold.

"Aaron was a huge loss to us last time," he admitted.

"He has a combination of pace and penetration. Whether he starts or comes on, he frightens defenders and makes an impact.

"Having Aaron, Joe and Andrew Johnson available is good news because it gives us three more players who are effective at taking opponents out of the game."

Downing was angry with McClaren after being left out against Croatia, claiming that he had been made the scapegoat for England's failure to beat Macedonia.

However, he has been given another chance to stake his claim for a regular place, and McClaren has revealed that the two of them have cleared the air.

"I have smoothed the situation out," he explained.

"I have had a chat with Stewart. We are drawing a line underneath it and moving on.

"I have spoken to Stewart about why he was left out but whatever happened before has gone. He is in the squad."