McClaren: I want Three Lions pride

STEVE McCLAREN has ordered his players to stand up and fight like men and match Croatia’s fierce patriotism tonight.

McClaren expects to face hostile fans and an excellent team in Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium and has responded by picking as many experienced players as he can.

This looks likely to mean a new formation because the England boss is without three senior midfielders. He looks ready to line-up with three central defenders with Ashley Cole and Gary Neville as wing-backs.

Frank Lampard will win his 50th cap in midfield, alongside Michael Carrick and Scott Parker.

McClaren said: “We come into an atmosphere and a ground where they’ve not been beaten for 12 years. We need character. We need pride. We need passion and attitude and we need a team of men out there. We’re looking for an English performance.

“John Terry epitomises that for us and that’s what we’ll be looking for but everybody has to seize responsibility. We have to make sure everybody performs and we’re looking at the leaders, the men, the experienced people who can handle these situations and come out on top.”

The Maksimir Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of many Croats, who believe their war with Serbia started here in 1990 at a Yugoslavian league match between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade.

Croatia have never lost a competitive game at the Maksimir and are confident of extending that proud record against England.

UEFA have promised to scrutinise the behaviour of Croatian fans after a racist incident during their friendly in Italy. About 200 supporters formed a human swastika in the stands in Livorno, two months ago.

The hostile reception awaiting England in Zagreb will not prevent McClaren giving Scott Parker his first England start.

Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves and Steven Gerrard are all missing and the England boss looks set to play Lampard, Parker and Michael Carrick in a midfield trio. The Newcastle skipper has not played for his country for two-and-a-half years but McClaren said: “He’s really come on. He’s matured and now he’s captain of his club and he epitomises what the English game is all about.

“He’s a good player. He can pass, he can tackle, he’s got character and attitude.

“He’s got that ability to defend but he’s got that burst of energy to get forward and score goals.”

McClaren lost Ledley King from his squad yesterday with the Spurs centre half still troubled by a niggling knee problem.

Jamie Carragher is most likely to come in on the right of the back-three as England try to erase memories of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Macedonia.

A home win will see Croatia leap to the top of Group E and England must wait until March for their next Euro 2008 qualifier, away to Israel.

McClaren said: “It’s important to get a result. It’s important to get a performance. We’re here to win and we’ll pick a team to win.”