Barry was impressive alongside Gerrard in the 3-0 win over Israel

Steven Gerrard believes his close friendship with Gareth Barry helped them combine successfully in the centre of England's midfield.

The two midfielders linked superbly against Israel on Saturday and could play together against Russia.

"I'm not sure whether everybody knows what good friends we are off the pitch," Gerrard told BBC Sport.

"The communication was there, we weren't strangers and that was the key to the partnership working."

Frank Lampard is a major doubt for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia at Wembley, although Owen Hargreaves is thought to have a good chance of recovering from his thigh injury.

And Gerrard, who has been passed fit to play on Wednesday after playing with a fractured toe against Israel, explained what he thought made a successful midfield partnership.

Emile Heskey does a lot of hard work that goes unnoticed Steven Gerrard

"Balance is about working hard for each other - when one midfielder attacks, one defends," he added.

"You can go on for weeks about formations but it is important that with whatever formation you go with, you have the right flexibility and the right personnel."

Gerrard paid tribute to the qualities of Emile Heskey, who impressed in Saturday's 3-0 win over Israel but will vie for a start with Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, who is available after a suspension.

"I know him inside out and Emile is a player's player," said the Liverpool midfielder.

"You appreciate what he contributes when you're on the pitch. He does a lot of hard work that goes unnoticed."

Gerrard added: "He caused Israel a lot of problems. I thought we picked up lots of little bits of possession off him against Israel, he put in a positive performance.

We realise Russia is going to be a tougher test so we need to forget about Israel now Steven Gerrard

"I do enjoy playing with a target man, as a midfielder you can get knock downs and stuff."

Gerrard added that England will have to build on Saturday's display when they face Russia.

The Russians are second in Group E, one point ahead of England, after a 3-0 win over Macedonia on Saturday.

Group leaders Croatia remain two points ahead of Russia after beating Estonia 2-0 - and they will be confident of another three points on Wednesday when they travel to bottom side Andorra.

"We were positive about Saturday's performance but the important thing is not to get carried away," stated Gerrard.

"We realise Russia is going to be a tougher test so we need to forget about Israel now. But we can take the positives from that game and build on it and hopefully get the same outcome."

606: DEBATE With four games left - three at home - England should be favourites to qualify MR

Meanwhile, Shaun Wright-Phillips, man-of-the-match against Israel, played down his impressive start to the season after a difficult phase of his career following his �21m move to Chelsea in July 2005.

Wright-Phillips struggled for regular first-team football after his move to Stamford Brige but has been a regular for club and country this season.

"I never worried about my situation - it is more about the team. As long as we have a good team spirit and a good combination of players in the team then I am happy," said Wright-Phillips.

"I am not really a negative thinker - I always try to think positive.

"The main thing is that everybody, my family and friends, my dad, they all had the belief in me. That was the key factor."

Blackburn midfielder David Bentley was booed on Saturday when he came on for the last seven minutes to make his full England debut.

Bentley pulled out of the England Under-21 squad for the European Championship in the summer citing tiredness and McClaren excluded him from the squad to play Germany in a friendly last month.

But Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce believes Bentley will win over the England supporters.

"He deserved to be in the squad after his performances for his club this season and last season and the games he played for the Under-21s," Pearce told BBC Radio 5live.

"I don't think people will be on his back now. Some people had a little point of dissatisfaction to make on Saturday.