Must-win tie for England

Steven Gerrard will play in England8217;s European Championship qualifying match against Israel on Saturday despite a broken toe...

Steven Gerrard will play in England8217;s European Championship qualifying match against Israel on Saturday despite a broken toe, but the participation of fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves is still in doubt.

Hargreaves trained separately on Friday, and England manager Steve McClaren said he would decide if the Manchester United midfielder had recovered from a thigh injury 8220;as late as possible.8221; England will be without several injured players, including midfielders Frank Lampard and David Beckham, striker Wayne Rooney, defender Gary Neville and winger Kieron Dyer for the match at Wembley.

England are fourth in Group E qualifying with 14 points 8212; three fewer than leaders Croatia and Israel and fewer than Russia. They play Russia at Wembley on Wednesday and the two games could determine if they advance to the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year. In response to England8217;s long injury list, McClaren has called up striker Emile Heskey three years after he last played for England and brought in uncapped defender Joleon Lescott. Heskey, who lost his place in the team with the emergence of Rooney, could start alongside his former strike partner Michael Owen. If Heskey does not play, Andrew Johnson could play because Peter Crouch is suspended.

In Group B action, with Luca Toni injured and Francesco Totti retired from international play at the ripe old age of 30, AC Milan forward Filippo Inzaghi is expected to lead Italy8217;s attack against France. At 348212;an age when other forwards can retire8212;Inzaghi is still beating the offside trap and darting past defenders 10 years his junior.

The last time Inzaghi appeared for Italy at Milan8217;s San Siro stadium 8212; the site of Saturday8217;s game and the same arena where he plays for his club 8212; he scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Wales. That win came when Italy was struggling to qualify for the 2004 European Championship. Italy are not struggling this time around 8212; having won five straight qualifiers 8212; but the Azzurri do need a win to avoid complications in their final four qualifiers for Euro 2008.

In Group F, Spain will need a victory against Iceland to keep pace with Sweden and Northern Ireland at the top. Spain have 15 points from seven matches. Group leaders Sweden have 18 and Northern Ireland 16.