Wayne Rooney has been guaranteed a place in the England side under new manager Steve McClaren despite criticism of most of his recent performances.

Rooney missed the last two England matches through suspension after being sent off against Portugal at the World Cup. He has failed to score a competitive goal for his country in more than two years and has not found the net for his club since the opening day of the season.

The 21-year-old will play against Macedonia in a Group E Euro 2008 qualifier next weekend, however.

"Players have to be playing well and have to be in form but Wayne Rooney is a world-class player and can make the difference at any given moment. He's in my team," McClaren told reporters.

"Over the last six months, he hasn't got into any rhythm but before that everyone was raving about him. He hasn't got into a rhythm because of injury and the bans he's received but he's a world-class player and he'll get that form back with games."

Rooney's temperament remains a concern for England following his red card in Germany and also in a pre-season tournament in the Netherlands for Manchester United.

Second striker

But McClaren is reluctant to change his game in any way and believes the goals will start to come when he is used in his correct position as a second striker behind Peter Crouch.

"We need to get Wayne Rooney into positions where he can score more goals and create more and get better service into the final third," McClaren said.

Rooney's inclusion in England's squad is no surprise and nor was the continued omission of David Beckham despite an injury to right-sided midfielder Aaron Lennon.

McClaren's only surprise inclusion is Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker, who has only two previous caps for his country and has not played for England since 2004.

"He's a player I've always admired. With Owen Hargreaves injured, he's possibly as close as you'll get to that type of player in the English game," McClaren said.

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