[goldenHuddlestone]

If England does not win in Estonia, manager Steve McClaren could be returning home without a job.

Failing to secure three points today would almost certainly end England’s chances of qualifying for the European Championship — a financially damaging prospect for the English Football Association.

To do so against a team which is winless and pointless in the Euro campaign would make it difficult for McClaren to extend his troubled 11-month reign.

With six rounds remaining, England lie fourth in Group E — five points adrift of the group leaders, Croatia.

England’s unconvincing 3-0 win over Andorra in March, which followed a goalless draw in Israel, marked their first victory since September when they beat Macedonia 1-0.

“I am still very confident we will qualify,” goalkeeper Paul Robinson said.

“We’ve put ourselves in a difficult position and we have a lot of hard fixtures to come.

“We all are aware it will be a disaster if we don’t win on Wednesday. But we have the players at our disposal capable of winning our remaining games.” Players such as David Beckham.

To save his own job, McClaren has grudgingly recalled Beckham despite dismissing the former captain in August.

The Los Angeles Galaxy-bound midfielder made an immediate impact in Friday’s 1-1 friendly draw against Brazil, floating in a trademark free kick for John Terry to nod home.

Beckham is likely to start again in Tallinn, while Terry appears to have shaken off a tight hamstring sustained in the friendly and trained on Monday.

McClaren has called for a disciplined performance at A Le Coq Arena. “All games are difficult at the international level, especially away games,” McClaren said.

“If we do the job as we already have done with the England B game (a 3-1 win over Albania last month) and against Brazil, we should expect to win, but we have got to do the job and have the same level of performance that we had on Friday night.”

Beating Estonia does not appear an insurmountable challenge, but McClaren witnessed on Saturday how their players can stifle visitors, battling Croatia before falling 1-0.

“Despite not winning games, they actually do try to play football — they do try to attack,” McClaren said.

McClaren will be without the suspended Wayne Rooney, but Michael Owen is expected to make his first competitive England appearance since injuring his knee in last year’s World Cup.

After Alan Smith struggled against Brazil, Peter Crouch seems likely to be Owen’s preferred partner, and the Liverpool forward’s height could be decisive in converting Beckham’s crosses from the right wing.

“(Beckham) has always got that killer ball he can put into the danger area from free kicks, which can make a goal,” midfielder Frank Lampard said.

Standing in the way of England will be Watford goalkeeper Maart Poom, whose most successful spell in England came at Derby in the late 1990s.

“We try to be tight and compact at the back but also try to find ways to be positive on counterattacks and with set-pieces,” said 35-year-old Poom, who joined Watford last month from Arsenal.

“We just need to show more composure and confidence in front of goal.”