England will look to overcome a striker shortage and shrug off bleak pronouncements about the state of its national game by beating Ukraine tomorrow (Tuesday) to take a giant stride toward the 2014 World Cup.

Automatic qualification for finishing first in Group H is up for grabs, with England leading on goal difference over Montenegro and one point clear of Ukraine with three matches left.

The English would be OK with a draw in Kiev, which would keep the destiny of the group in their hands ahead of home matches against Montenegro and Poland in October.

A victory, however, would make a huge statement after recent comments by the new chairman of the Football Association, Greg Dyke, that English football is a "tanker that needs turning" and that nobody "realistically" thinks England will win next year's World Cup in Brazil.

"A win would put us in a very strong position," said England midfielder Frank Lampard, who is set to make his 100th appearance for his country. "We've got two tough home games to come, but I think if we can fly back with three points then we're in a very strong position to go through."

Being without its three leading strikers — Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge (both injured) and Danny Welbeck (suspended) — isn't the only reason why England will find it tough in the Ukrainian capital, though.

Ukraine has rediscovered its best form in recent months, following up a 4-0 win at then-group leader Montenegro in June with a national-record 9-0 trouncing of San Marino on Friday. The hosts are also still hurting from an unlucky 1-0 loss to Englandin Donetsk in last year's European Championship, when they were denied a legitimate goal after the ball crossed the line before being cleared by John Terry.

"Our team doesn't have the big names that England has, but we (still) have good players," Ukraine captain Anatoliy Tymoshchuk said. "The thing is, such stars as Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole have achieved success in their clubs but for some reason or other can't attain the same level of success with their national team.

"England has players known to the entire European continent, but Ukraine is better."