World Cup: England look to attack

England went through their group programme only scoring a single goal in open play, and even Sol Campbell header's came from a straightforward set-piece move as he moved on to David Beckham's corner.

McClaren is confident that Heskey and Owen, and other areas of the team, will address that situation as England prepare for Saturday's second phase match with Denmark in Niigata.

England No. 2 McClaren said: "Set-pieces are a vital armoury in any football team's case but we've created chances in every game in open play.

"It is not a concern for us. It would be a concern if we weren't creating but certainly in the last couple of games with Heskey and Owen up front, they have really caused the opposition some problems.

"We've also got players capable of scoring from midfield. It's not a worry. I'm sure when the time is right, we will start scoring in open play."

Although the team have struggled to score goals, at the other end they have proved to be solid with just one conceded in the group stage.

McClaren paid tribute to the defence of Arsenal trio David Seaman, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole and Leeds pair Rio Ferdinand and Danny Mills.

"Every football team needs a good platform and the back four have played very, very well," said the Middlesbrough boss.

"They kept us in the game against Sweden, performed magnificently against Argentina and held out yesterday (in the 0-0 draw with Nigeria) and it breeds confidence throughout the team when you are defending well.

"It was also good to see Nicky Butt performing magnificently and he has formed a good partnership with Scholes in midfield.

"You also can't forget David Beckham and Trevor Sinclair, who came from nowhere, got his opportunity and took it.

"The midfield have come in and got good balance and that has given us a good platform in front of the back four."

McClaren said that although the squad did not feel the pressure which was growing on the team to perform better the further they went in the competition, all the players knew what was required of them against Denmark and possibly beyond.

"The saying is 'England expects' and that is exactly the feeling we have," said McClaren.

"On our day we are capable of beating anyone and we need to produce the consistency.

"The next game is a big game and then you can look ahead to the quarter-finals. There is pressure there but it is put on from external forces."

The Middlesbrough manager said there were no new injury concerns, with Ashley Cole expected to train later today despite picking up a slight calf problem in yesterday's game.

However, injured Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves will not feature against Denmark.

"We are taking it one day at a time. We have ruled him out of this weekend and it is difficult to look further than that," said McClaren.

"But the next game (after Denmark) is six or seven days after that and he will certainly be looking towards that if we get through the game."

McClaren is expecting a tough test against the Danes, whom he feels will be bubbling with confidence after helping to eliminate France from the competition.

He said: "Step one was getting through to the finals, step two was getting through the group stages and we've achieved that and now it's a case of 'win you go through, lose you go home'.

"I don't know if it's a bonus that we will be facing Denmark. They are there on merit, performed very well and finished top so they've got to be respected.

"It is a shame about France going out but it is also a little bit tougher for us in the sense that Denmark are full of confidence, especially after the result against France."

McClaren admitted that the game with Nigeria in the heat of Osaka had taken its toll physically.

He said: "It did take a lot out of the players but rest and recovery is important now.

"We will have to have recovered because they won't put the game back another day. That is going to be a problem because it was warm yesterday.

"It is a quick turn-around but it should be a little bit cooler and that should suit us better."

McClaren admitted that practising penalties will be high on the agenda in case the game goes to a shoot-out.

He said: "Penalties is something we shall certainly be looking at over the next couple of days because previous World Cups have proved that one penalty can take you through or send you home.

"You try and re-enact the real situation which is very, very difficult because on the day it can be so different when all the pressure is on. It comes down to trusting the players and their experience and their know-how really.

"Sven has had feedback from the Football Association who did a recent survey on penalty kicks and what methods are best used and we've talked to the players but it really comes down to personal preference on the night.

"We haven't nominated five penalty takers because you don't know who will be left on the pitch at the end of extra-time and that decision will be made on the spot."

Campbell believes the knock-out stages of the World Cup will bring out the best in him and his England team-mates.

He said: "I think it will bring the best out of a lot of players, me personally anyway.

"We did enough against Nigeria but you will see a lot more out of the players. We have got to win, it doesn't matter who you play, big country or small country.

"If we get a chance we will be banging it in. This is where England want to be, where I want to be, on the edge. It brings the best out in me and is definitely going to bring the best out of the players."

Campbell is set to win his 50th cap against the Danes.

He said: "It's a lot of hard work, getting to this stage is a great honour. Not a lot of players get to that stage."

Meanwhile, Denmark could be without leading scorer Jon Dahl Tomasson for the clash against England on Saturday after the striker missed training with a thigh injury.

Reports from the Far East suggest Tomasson has been carrying the injury for a while but his absence from today's team session, along with Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, cast a doubt over his participation against Sven-Goran Eriksson's side.

Former Denmark international Jan Molby said the absence of the man who fired the Danes to the top of Group A with three goals in as many games would be a huge setback.

Molby admitted: "All indications are that he will probably miss the game. He is the only player we can't do without."