Robinson has his chance to answer critics

It was widely assumed Robinson would be axed in favour of David James after the latest in a series of high-profile blunders in the home defeat by Germany last month.

The Tottenham star's performance that night drew widespread criticism, with respected pundit Alan Hansen among those to claim Robinson should be dropped for this weekend's crucial Group E encounter.

Yet, within 72 hours of the 27-year-old's mistake, McClaren had resolved to stand by the former Leeds player, a decision made in a relaxed, calm manner, far removed from the hysteria which accompanied Robinson's last England outing.

"Paul has my trust and my confidence and I am sticking with him," said McClaren.

"Ultimately, everybody makes mistakes. Other players made them against Germany. But do we give them the same punishment?

"The truth is, if a goalkeeper makes one it is in the back of the net."

It is a brave call by McClaren, who knows he cannot afford Robinson to endure another nightmare if England are to retain a realistic hope of reaching next summer's finals.

The former Middlesbrough boss is convinced his faith will not be misplaced, having witnessed at first hand the positive manner in which Robinson has responded to his most recent setback.

"Sometimes, it is only in adversity when players' true colours stand out," said McClaren.

"At this level every player is under pressure to perform and I am delighted with his reaction.

"I could never guarantee a player a starting position but the one principle I have, especially with goalkeepers, is that I stick with them. I wanted to look at the Germany game sensibly, after all the hysteria had been taken away, and I made the decision two or three days afterwards.

"I told Paul on Thursday night and he was obviously relieved and delighted."

The certainty surrounding Robinson's position contrasts sharply with that of Owen Hargreaves, who will have a fitness test today on a thigh injury which has prevented him training all week.

Even if the Manchester United man comes through, it would seem a pointless risk naming him against Israel, especially as likely stand-in Gareth Barry has done so well in training this week and, more importantly, Steven Gerrard looks set to start without requiring a pain-killing injection to numb his broken toe.

Although McClaren retains total confidence in his squad to record the victory which would allow fourth-placed England to move level with their visitors in the Group E table, he knows Israel will not be easy to overcome.

A trawl through recent history records Israeli draws in France, Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland during the last World Cup qualifying campaign and one in Russia this time around.

They held England on home soil in Tel Aviv in March too, so a packed Wembley may need to show patience and McClaren's team need to stand up to the challenge.

"We need the crowd on our side but we also need the players to be brave and show they are big enough to wear the shirt," he said.

"Bravery can sometimes mean putting your head in where others won't, but the main bravery is taking the ball when others won't, or making a run into the box or taking a shot when you know you might fail."

One man who could never be accused of shrinking away from a challenge with England is Michael Owen.

While McClaren has refused to offer any clue as to whether Emile Heskey or Andrew Johnson will partner England's sixth-highest scorer, he clearly views Owen as his major attacking weapon.

Two goals in as many games for Newcastle have settled any lingering fears over Owen's form after the best part of 18 months on the sidelines and he is the man McClaren feels has the best chance of breaking down Israel's obdurate defence.

"Michael has looked sharper with every day he plays," he said.

"Never mind the work he does outside the box and who he needs to play with, the main thing Michael brings us is goals at vital times.

"There have been so many times when we have not looked like scoring and all of a sudden he has glanced one in at the near post or nicked one off his shin."

In Israel, McClaren told his team it was "time to deliver" and has already declared this week that there can be "no excuses".

He certainly knows England are reaching a point, if they have not quite arrived there already, where failure will be accompanied by a P45 with his name on it, although the 'F' word is something that has not yet drifted across his mind.

"I have not even thought about failure," he declared. "You don't reach any tournament without having a must-win game somewhere along the line; a game where everyone gets nervous and apprehensive.

"We have to deal with that. Everybody else can hype it up but we have to be calm and relaxed.

"If we can transfer our form from the training ground to Wembley, we will be OK."