Unless Israel can prevent Russia winning in Tel Aviv or Macedonia prevent Croatia picking up a point in Skopje, England will miss out on a major tournament for the first time since 1994.

As co-hosts, who know what benefits England bring, both in terms of the general aura of their players and the financial muscle of their massive travelling support, Austria are keen for Steve McClaren's boys to make it.

But, after watching his team slip to defeat thanks to Peter Crouch's first-half header in Vienna, Hickersberger knows there will be no place to hide for McClaren and his men if it all goes wrong.

"I hope the Croatia game means something to England, otherwise, yes, it will be embarrassing for them," he said.

"As co-hosts, Austria want England to qualify and that is what I told Steve McClaren.

"We all know for them, this match was a preparation game for Croatia. But the important point is will they still be able to qualify or will they just be trying to salvage something of their reputation?"

It is a question McClaren has been asking himself for the best part of a month and soon he will know the answer.

The England boss has been defiant all week, insisting Israel will come to his aid, although even if they do, victory will still be required against Croatia.

And, McClaren now knows his team will face the unbeaten Group E leaders without not only John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney but also top scorer Michael Owen, who pulled a thigh muscle and could be out of action for a month.

"Injuries are part of football," he reflected.

"We have certainly had our fair share and not to have your best players available is not how you would choose to go into what I still believe will be the crunch game.

"But I am not making excuses. We have dealt with this type of situation before and we will do so again."

It is not hard to envisage what the reaction of Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will be given the £18million forward ruptured cruciate ligaments on England duty at the last World Cup.

However, McClaren refused to blame the freezing conditions for Owen's latest injury blow.

"The conditions were perfect," he said.

"It wasn't even that cold. We trained at Arsenal on Thursday morning and it was colder than that. These things can happen."

Although Jermain Defoe is now a virtual certainty to partner Peter Crouch against Croatia, McClaren must decide whether to call in a replacement striker.

The options are not extensive, with Tottenham's Darren Bent more likely to be drafted in than England Under-21 duo Gabriel Agbonlahor and Theo Walcott.

"We are short of strikers," said McClaren.

"We do seem to be plagued by injuries at the present time but I do believe if we need to win on Wednesday, there is enough spirit and quality within our dressing room to do so."

McClaren was delighted to be able to give both Scott Carson and Ashley Young their debuts, while David Bentley was also introduced for David Beckham after an hour for his second cap.

Although, understandably, Beckham was hardly at full tilt, McClaren is convinced the former Manchester United star will benefit from his first appearance for England - and his 98th overall - since August.

"David needed the game, everyone could see that," he said.

"It was difficult for him because he has not played for a while. But he lasted an hour and I believe he will be better for that. We will soon see in training on Monday and Tuesday."