England manager Steve McClaren has revealed his woe that striker Michael Owen is ruled out of Wednesday's potentially crucial Euro 2008 Group E qualifier against Croatia at Wembley.

England secured a straightforward 1-0 friendly win over the tournament co-hosts Austria but suffered the more significant loss of Michael Owen to injury.

Already without Wayne Rooney for Wednesday's potentially decisive Euro 2008 Group E qualifier against Croatia, England saw striker Owen leave the pitch in Vienna after 34 minutes.

McClaren later confirmed that Owen had been ruled out of the match at Wembley.

"He won't be fit for Wednesday," he said. "It was a strange one, it was his standing foot. He's pulled his thigh and unfortunately he's out.

"That's football - but we do seem to be plagued with injuries at the present moment and for what I believe will be our biggest game for quite some while we're going in without two centre-halves and two centre-forwards who we would [usually] pick."

England's problems at the back revolve around injured captain John Terry and the suspended Rio Ferdinand.

"It's disappointing but I believe and hope that Wednesday will be important," McClaren added. "And I believe there's enough in that dressing room and the squad has enough spirit that we will do it."

Owen indicated to the England bench that he wanted to come off after suffering the injury following a shot at goal.

"It's a huge blow because we all know what Michael can do in big games," England midfielder Frank Lampard said of Owen's injury. "It's frustrating."

Jermain Defoe replaced Owen, whose strike partner Peter Crouch scored the only goal a minute before half-time when he headed in a David Beckham corner.

Austria, who have only won one match this year, are already guaranteed a place at next year's championships because of their status as co-hosts alongside neighbouring Switzerland.

England's chances of returning here next year are far less assured. On Saturday Steve McClaren's men can only watch on television as Group E rivals Croatia and Russia travel to Macedonia and Israel respectively.

A draw for Croatia and a win for the Russians would effectively end England's qualifying hopes and make Wednesday's encounter with the group leaders all but meaningless.

Join eurosport.yahoo.com for LIVE scoring of all this weekend's qualifying action, plus text commentary on the home nations - including Scotland v Italy - and other big clashes!!

Reuters