McClaren predicts successful year

Coach Steve McClaren is predicting 2007 will be a big year for England - and will end in qualification for Euro 2008.

England tackle Spain in a friendly at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, the first of 10 matches, which conclude against Croatia at the new Wembley in November, that will probably determine how long McClaren remains in a job.

"This is a big year for us," said McClaren. "We want to start it well and end it with qualification. There will be lots of ups and downs on the journey in between but ultimately, I am confident of qualifying."

After watching his side restore their battered confidence with an encouraging draw with Holland in November, McClaren is convinced England are back on the right track after a horror double-header in October when a home draw with Macedonia was followed up by a dismal defeat in Croatia.

He added: "The players are determined and I feel very comfortable. We have to get down to some hard work but we have a great squad and just want to go forward."

Even though Manchester City's Joey Barton was the only new cap, there was a certain freshness about the 28-man squad McClaren announced for the Spain encounter.

Jonathan Woodgate and Kieron Dyer both return after long-term injuries, while Gareth Barry is recalled after a four-year absence to help provide cover on the left now Ashley Cole has been ruled out with the knee problem he suffered against Blackburn in midweek.

Both Woodgate and Dyer could start, especially as John Terry, Owen Hargreaves and Andrew Johnson are not likely to play.