Former England boss Steve McClaren says a lack of first-team football for young players is one of the reasons behind the struggles of the national team.

England were humbled 4-1 by Germany as they went out at the last 16 stage at the World Cup in South Africa.

And McClaren, who is now boss at German club Wolfsburg, said: "Unfortunately, we do well to a certain level and then there's a vacuum from 18-21.

"Simply, I don't think our top talents play enough in the Premier League."

He added: "They need to play more but they are not getting the opportunity.

"They are not playing in Europe, that is the key at club level and where you have to play. It gives you the experience for international football."

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Current England manager Fabio Capello is set to call up more young players to future squads as he tries to put the World Cup failure behind him.

McClaren has come out in support of the Italian and knows all too well about the quality available to the England manager.

He worked as an assistant to Sven-Goran Eriksson during the Swede's time in charge of England before succeeding him in the role.

McClaren was sacked as England boss after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and he said he felt 'guilty' about not guiding them to the tournament.

He has since led FC Twente to the league title in Netherlands and has now moved to the Bundesliga to take the managerial reins at Wolfsburg.

Domestic Dutch football has a winter break, as does Germany, and McClaren believes one would also help the English game.

And he said the different factions within the English game need to join together to help Capello.

"For the benefit of the English team, everybody (Premier League, FA and Football League) has to sit around the table and say 'look we'll put our personal issues aside, let's come together for the good of England'.

"If we do that we may see progress but I think a lot of things need to be put in place."

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