Steve McClaren is convinced the return of Owen Hargreaves can help trigger a much-needed return to form for England in Israel next week.

After emerging as a key member of the England squad during the World Cup, Hargreaves played the opening three games of McClaren's reign but has been missing since after suffering a broken leg on club duty with Bayern Munich.

McClaren does not believe it is any coincidence Hargreaves' absence has coincided with a major downturn in fortune as England have gone four games without a win, putting their hopes of reaching Euro 2008 in jeopardy.

Happily Hargreaves is now fully recovered from his major injury and over an ankle scare which briefly threatened the 26-year-old's participation in Tel Aviv.

And, having named the Calgary-born player in a 23-man squad for the double-header with Israel and Andorra, McClaren will have no hesitation in restoring Hargreaves to his starting line-up, a move he feels will have added benefit for Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

''We saw the importance of Owen at the World Cup,'' said McClaren. ''In our first three games, he was the catalyst for our performances because he allowed Gerrard and Lampard more freedom to express themselves. We have missed that since he has been injured.

''I saw him playing against Real Madrid last week and now he has had two more games under his belt, he should be in far better condition.

''I am delighted for the team and the squad that he is back in.''

After experimenting in the recent friendly clashes with Holland and Spain, McClaren has decided familiarity and experience are required this week as England look to become only the second country to win in Israel in seven years.

From the massive squad named for the Spain defeat, Joey Barton and Gareth Barry are the notable casualties.

Barry's omission in particular is a slight surprise given Ashley Cole - who is named - is suspended for the Israel encounter and his regular left-back deputy Wayne Bridge is injured.

However, McClaren is happy to choose between Jamie Carragher and Phil Neville, even though neither man plays in the position at club level, believing their experience will be a key factor.

''Obviously we have a problem at left-back and a lot of names were being bandied about but this is a big, important game and I feel it is a game for experience,'' said McClaren.

The major concern for the under-pressure England coach will be the fitness of the 13 players who will be required for FA Cup duty on Monday night.

McClaren has already joked he will be watching the replays 'with his eyes closed,' fearing the damage the extra fixtures could cause to his planning.

In the continued absence of Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon is tipped to start on the left-hand side of midfield, while Everton's Andrew Johnson and Tottenham's Jermain Defoe seem the obvious rivals to partner Wayne Rooney in attack.

Having slipped to third spot in Group E, England can ill afford another defeat if they are to retain a realistic chance of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

However, McClaren, whose own position will come under renewed scrutiny should England fail, remains confident about England's chances of progression.

''We have been in this situation many times before,'' he said. ''I have been involved with this squad for five years and we have had bad results in every qualification. We have done it before. We are good enough to do it again.''

England squad: Robinson (Tottenham), Foster (Man Utd, on loan at Watford), Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Charlton), Neville (Man Utd), Richards (Man City), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Terry (Chelsea, capt), Woodgate (Real Madrid, on loan at Middlesbrough), Carragher (Liverpool), A Cole (Chelsea), P Neville (Everton), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Lampard (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Parker (Newcastle), Carrick (Man Utd), Dyer (Newcastle), Downing (Middlesbrough), Johnson (Everton), Rooney (Man Utd), Defoe (Tottenham), Bent (Charlton).