Monday, September 4 2006 15:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Manchester: England coach Steve McClaren insists Steven Gerrard has much more to offer his country as the Liverpool midfielder prepares to celebrate his 50th cap.

Gerrard will reach the milestone when he starts Wednesday's (6 Sep, 2006) European Championship qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje.

He marks his 49th cap with a man-of-the-match performance in Saturday's (2 Sep, 2006) crushing 5-0 victory over Andorra, which he caps by scoring his 10th senior goal for his country.

Gerrard has come a long way since Kevin Keegan against Ukraine gave him his international debut in 2000 just 18 months and only 44 games after his Liverpool first-team debut.

The 26-year-old is idolised by Liverpool supporters after captaining his club to European Cup success in 2005 yet Gerrard's critics insist he has struggled to transform his club form on to the international stage.

McClaren, who appointed Gerrard as England vice-captain last month, is one of the player's biggest fans, but admits he can get better.

The England coach says, "Steven has changed games for Liverpool and won the European Cup." "I want him to have the same impact for England than he does for Liverpool. I think Steven can get better." "He has influenced a lot of games for Liverpool and I want him to transfer that to England."

Frank Lampard reckons Gerrard would have won more caps but for a string of injuries.

The Chelsea midfielder, who has played two games fewer for his country than Gerrard, reckons McClaren is bringing the best out of him by playing him on the right-side of midfield.

Lampard says, "Steven's a fantastic player."

"He might have won more caps than that if it hadn't been for injury." "He's playing very well at the moment and he has played the last couple of England games like he does for Liverpool." "He is off the leash a little bit in that right-hand position and he is playing with all the quality we know he has got."

McClaren's first competitive match in charge following Sven-Goran Eriksson's exit throws up some interesting questions.

Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe both take full advantage of their chance by scoring twice against Andorra in the absence of regular strikers Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Owen is likely to be missing most of the season with a serious knee injury, but Rooney is available for England's qualifier at home to Macedonia on October 7 after serving a two-match suspension following his red card in the World Cup quarterfinal defeat to Portugal.

Liverpool striker Crouch now has 10 goals in 13 appearances for his country while Tottenham's Defoe has three in 18.

McClaren refuses to get involved in a debate about who is most likely to partner Rooney, who is expected to make an automatic return, next month.

McClaren, who labels Crouch's record as 'phenomenal' adds, "That issue is well down the line. It's a question for the future." "Crouch is not lightning quick, but he is effective in other ways." "He consistently runs 13 kilometers in a game, but I've seen him do 14 which is incredible for a striker." "Jermain deserved his chance because of his performance against Greece last month." "Strikers need goals for confidence and Jermain has always had that." "He looks brighter and fresher and is playing well for the team."

England emerges from Saturday's (2 Sep, 2006) game in Manchester without any fresh injury worries and could have Rio Ferdinand available for Wednesday (6 Sep, 2006).

The Manchester United defender is hoping to train on Monday (4 Sep, 2006) after a toe injury forces him to miss out at the weekend.