England are waiting on Hargreaves

LONDON, England -- England manager Steve McClaren suffered a fresh blow before Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifying match against Israel, when Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves aggravated a hamstring injury.

After the player went for a scan McClaren said: "Thankfully the scan only revealed a small problem and we are hoping it will clear.

"We are still hoping he will be available for Saturday, and he is definitely not ruled out yet."

England are already without fellow midfielder players David Beckham and Frank Lampard but Liverpool's Steven Gerrard took part in Wednesday's training even though he is recovering from a broken toe.

Lampard has a thigh injury and Beckham a knee problem.

McClaren is keen to include Gerrard at the heart of his side. "We're leaving it as late as possible but we want Steven Gerrard on the field and we want him ready to play," he declared.

Hargreaves, who has previously been troubled by tendonitis in the knee, has yet to play two games in a week after his £18 million ($36.39 million) transfer to United from Bayern Munich.

He damaged the hamstring playing against Sunderland and when he complained of a tightening in his thigh during training he was sent for the scan.

England, who are three points behind leaders Croatia in Group E, have not ruled out giving Gerrard an injection to enable him to play against Israel, but his club coach Rafa Benitez is against giving him a jab.

"Steven Gerrard played a part in training," said an FA statement on Wednesday.

"A decision about his fitness for Saturday's game will be taken later in the week."

Israel's biggest concern is that Argentine-born forward Roberto Colautti, who has scored six goals in eight appearances, has a thigh injury.

Goalkeeper Dudu Awat said the team is looking forward to playing at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

"It is my first time playing at Wembley, one of the most magnificent stadiums in the world," Awat said. "There is excitement, but we are here to get the job done." E-mail to a friend