England needs another improved performance at Estonia when European Championship qualifying continues Wednesday or its chances of reaching next year’s tournament could fade further.

France has no such concerns when it hosts Georgia in another of the day’s 19 games, but Italy is at Lithuania having already drawn against its lowly opponent in qualifying.

Most of the continent’s major teams are in action, four days after the last round. England could be as much as eight points off the lead if it slips in Tallinn. Croatia hosts Russia, and Israel is at Andorra in Group E’s other games.

It should be confident though after recalled former captain David Beckham and a standout performance by Steven Gerrard helped England draw 1-1 on Friday in a friendly against Brazil. It improved upon its recent lackluster showings and was only denied victory when the five-time world champion equalised in the last minute.
Beckham should start on the right of midfield again at Estonia, with England needing a victory to stay in touch with the three teams above it.

Croatia leads after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Estonia, which has lost all six of its matches without scoring, with Israel and Russia two points off the top.

England coach Steve McClaren was jeered at England’s last three qualifying matches — a 2-0 loss at Croatia, a 0-0 draw at Israel, and an uninspiring 3-0 win at Andorra — and desperate wants a victory.
McClaren may play Gerrard in a more attacking role against Estonia even though the Liverpool midfielder was man of the match against Brazil in a holding position.

Peter Crouch is likely to replace Alan Smith up front, while Terry should recover from a tight hamstring to take his place in central defense.

‘More ruthless’
Russia stayed within two points of Croatia on Saturday with an easy 4-0 win over Andorra, but coach Guus Hiddink wants his team to be more ruthless. Russia and Croatia played to a 0-0 draw in their opening qualifier in September.

With the top two teams from each group qualifying for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland, Italy is on course in Group B even after a disappointing 2-1 win at the Faeroe Islands on Saturday.

Italy’s qualifying campaign started with a 1-1 home draw against Lithuania, and the World Cup champion - second behind France - knows it needs to improve for the rematch.