LONDON (Reuters) — Owen Hargreaves is ready to put the bite back into England’s midfield against Israel on Saturday when he makes a much-awaited return from injury in the Euro 2008 qualifiers.After a flying start to the season, helping them to three straight wins, England’s form has plummeted since Hargreaves suffered a broken leg on Bayern Munich duty in September.

After scoring 10 goals without reply, England have managed only one goal since and conceded four, slipping to third in Group E after a draw with Macedonia and defeat by Croatia in qualifying.

In friendlies, a promising 1-1 draw in the Netherlands was followed by a sobering 1-0 loss to Spain at Old Trafford last month that turned up the heat on manager Steve McClaren. “I think I’ve shown what I can bring to a team,” Hargreaves told reporters at the team hotel near Watford.

“Hopefully I can bring some energy into the midfield if I get the opportunity to play, give the back four some support, keep a clean sheet and obviously with the players we have going forward, get them the ball positions where they can create chances and hopefully score some goals.

“Definitely, with the position we’re in, we need the three points.”

England have seven points, one less than Russia and three behind leaders Croatia. Only goal difference keeps McClaren’s men ahead of Macedonia, who have played a game more, and Israel.

Hargreaves, who made his Bayern return last month, is relishing being back in England’s hour of need, which should be followed by a much easier time next Wednesday against Andorra.

“I’ve been out for longer than I originally expected with my leg, I’ve had some games under my belt and it’s great obviously to be back playing,” said the 26-year-old.

“This is the next step, to be back with England. We’ve got two important games and I’m looking forward to it.”

Defender Jamie Carragher summed up the view of the England locker-room, telling reporters: “He had a great World Cup and he’s been a bit of a miss for us.

“Hopefully with him coming back in he can show us what he can do...and give us more chance of getting the points.”

Hargreaves’s return will also be welcomed by the fans, who ended up voting him England’s best player at the World Cup, having booed him when he came on in the opener against Paraguay. Though pleased with the change in fortune, he said: “That’s not something I focused on to achieve.

“The most important thing is that the manager picks me and thinks I can do a job to help the team win. I don’t need any more show of faith than that.

“Obviously, it makes the job easier when the fans are behind you and chanting your name. But either way, whether they’re booing you or cheering you, you still have to go out and do the job.”