Liverpool striker Peter Crouch insists there's no reason for England to panic as Newcastle's Michael Owen prepares for surgery.

"We are rich in the striking department," Crouch said on Radio Five Live. "We've got the strength in depth to cope with any injuries we've got.

He added: "I certainly believe we have got players to come in and can certainly do more than a job."

Crouch pointed to the re-emergence of Emile Heskey on the international stage as proof McClaren has a healthy pool of forwards from which to pick.

"I was suspended for the first qualifier (against Israel in September) and Emile Heskey came in pretty much from nowhere and did a fantastic job," Crouch said.

"Before that, Emile Heskey wasn't in the squad and that shows the strength we have got."