England coach Steve McClaren has kept faith with under-fire goalkeeper Paul Robinson for today's Euro 2008 Group E qualifier at home to Israel.

McClaren also said yesterday that Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard was almost certain to play despite a broken toe, although fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves remained doubtful.

Robinson's place in the starting line-up has come under pressure after some shaky performances, including a bad error in the 2-1 defeat by Germany in a home friendly last month.

"Paul Robinson will be in goal," McClaren told reporters yesterday. "It was a decision I made two or three days after the (Germany) game on reflection once the dust had settled, and on the reaction of Robinson in the last few games and in training this week. He's been just as I expected him to be, character comes out in the first team."

Gerrard's availability will be a huge relief for McClaren, whose own future will be on the line if England fail to finish first or second in a group in which they are currently fourth.

McClaren said Manchester United midfielder Hargreaves would have a fitness test on his thigh injury this morning.

"Owen wants to play and we think there may be an opportunity to do that but we'll leave it up to the medics and the player," McClaren said.