Steve McClaren today began the biggest week of his management career insisting: “I will survive.”

England’s head coach sends out what could be his penultimate England line-up for tonight’s friendly in Austria with speculation about his future swirling above his head.

Although many key figures, including current players, say McClaren should stay even if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008, the absence of clear backing from within the FA is feeding a media firestorm demanding his removal.

An England team which gives ex-Wolves man Joleon Lescott the chance to show what he can do in his specialist position and Villa’s Scott Carson an opportunity to oust Paul Robinson in goal shows McClaren still planning for a future which will become clearer over the next few days.

But he knows that even if his men beat Group E leaders Croatia at Wembley next Wednesday, they would only be assured their place in next summer’s finals if Slaven Bilic’s men lose in Macedonia or Russia drop points in Israel or Andorra.

But the defiant 46-year-old was upbeat as he faced the key questions about his future head-on last night: “I believe I will survive.

“I have come through adversity in the past and I am sure I will again. We are in a period of uncertainty. But the uncertainty is about this qualifying campaign, not my job. Qualification is out of our hands. but I have always believed the Croatia match would be the crunch game and I still do.”

McClaren is set to have talks with English football’s governing body following the Croatia qualifier.

And while he has received support from the likes of Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen, the men who really matter, led by FA chief executive Brian Barwick, have declined to end the speculation.

McClaren met with Barwick earlier this week but says: “We had a nice little chat about the week, about business and about certain meetings we have had before.

“But we have not spoken about my job.”