The 20-year-old Manchester United star has not found the net in a competitive England game since two goals against Croatia in the Euro 2004 finals while his international drought stretches back a year to a friendly against Argentina.

But Rooney will still feature when England face Macedonia in their Euro 2008 qualifier next weekend.

"His momentum has been lost because of disruptions," said McClaren.

"He hasn't got into a rhythm because of injury and the bans he's received but he's a world-class player and he'll get that form back with games.

"He's always been one of the best players. He's always been a player the opponents have feared and tried to take care of.

"Wayne Rooney will be in my team as long as he's fit."

Rooney has yet to play for McClaren's England.

He missed the friendly against Greece with a groin strain and was banned from the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra and Macedonia after his red card in the World Cup quarterfinal defeat against Portugal.

The sending off was a frustrating end to a frustrating tournament for Rooney in Germany.

He only played thanks to a miraculous recovery from a broken foot but never looked a threat. He was short of fitness and was foraging alone up front in the absence of Michael Owen when his fragile temper snapped, not for the first time, against Portugal.

McClaren said: "He's developing and there's a certain amount of control he needs to develop -- but he's doing that.

"I don't want to take anything away from Wayne's game -- his competitiveness, his will to win, his aggression, the way he wants the ball and wants to win.

"When you have a player like that you have to cope with the consequences."

McClaren's mind went blank when he was asked to name Rooney's last good game for England.

Some would argue it was as far back as Euro 2004, when he took the competition by storm before breaking his foot in the quarter-final, also against Portugal.

But the England boss, who served as coach under previous manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, said: "People forget how young he was when he first broke onto the scene and he's had to cope with a lot very early.

"Maybe all the hype and expectation has got out of control because he's still learning his trade.

"He's still got a lot of potential and he can be a better player in the future He isn't burdened by expectation. He has a fantastic temperament in that respect. He fears nothing and worries about nothing. He just wants to play football."

The England manager promised to do his bit to help Rooney get back among the goals.

"We need to get Wayne Rooney into positions where he can score more and create more and get better service into the final third," said McClaren.

"You have to give him the freedom to go and play, to go and express himself.

"If you want to win football matches you have to get your best players in the best positions."