By Alan Shearer Former England striker and Match of the Day summariser

Rooney looks set to be partnered by Andrew Johnson on Saturday

There has been a lot of talk in recent days about a dearth of international class English strikers.

There does appear to be less competition for places up front than there was 10 years ago when the likes of Ian Wright, Chris Sutton, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler were all champing at the bit to be involved in the England team.

As a player, I relished that competition for places, and it is clearly a big help for the manager.

Steve McClaren's options have been limited by injuries to Michael Owen, Peter Crouch and now Darren Bent.

Michael's absence for such a long time is a massive blow. He's been a big miss.

ENGLAND v POLAND May 1997 In squad: Alan Shearer (started) Teddy Sheringham (started) Ian Wright (bench) Andy Cole (bench) Injured: Robbie Fowler Les Ferdinand Out of favour: Stan Collymore Chris Sutton

The thing about Michael is he is such a natural goalscorer and he is the player England have relied on to turn defeats into draws and draws into wins.

Bent's withdrawal on Monday prompted McClaren to turn to 21-year-old Preston striker David Nugent.

Nugent has done well and scored a hatful of goals for Preston this season, as well as impressing at England Under-21 level.

606: DEBATE Comment on Israel v England

Only time will tell if he is ready for the international stage, but I am not too worried about the situation.

My feeling is that any team with Wayne Rooney in it will always have a chance of scoring goals.

Rooney came under a little bit of criticism recently for his goalscoring record for Manchester United this season but his two-goal display against Bolton on Saturday proved his class.

Who should start alongside him against Israel?

ENGLAND v ISRAEL March 2007 In squad: Wayne Rooney Andrew Johnson Jermain Defoe David Nugent Injured: Michael Owen Peter Crouch Darren Bent

I think Everton's Andrew Johnson deserves his chance and hopefully he can really trouble the Israel defence with his pace and power.

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, and maybe Nugent, will be a good option to come off the bench if needed.

Some people have talked about the game in Israel as a must-win for England and McClaren but I disagree.

I think you have to take it in the context of the game against Andorra four days later, which England will definitely win.

So for me, England must avoid defeat in Israel and perhaps more importantly, put in a performance which gives the fans something to cheer.