Captain Rio Ferdinand insists England cannot afford to rely solely on Wayne Rooney for inspiration in their bid to qualify for Euro 2012.
Rooney has contradicted Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in claiming he has not been troubled by an ankle problem this season.
But the goal touch for club and country continues to elude him after he ended an 11-month barren spell for England against Switzerland last month.
Rooney drew another blank in the goalless draw with group leaders Montenegro at Wembley on Tuesday evening.
But Ferdinand felt his United team-mate played well and should not be singled out for England's failure to break down their opponents.
He said: "I think Wayne put in a good shift. Sometimes with strikers you just need that little bit of luck in front of goal.
"The ball didn't really fall for any of our strikers to get a clean chance so to pick out 'Wazza' would not be fair.
"The ball just didn't drop for us in their box. 'Wazza' is a great player but we can't be too reliant on him.
"Stevie G (Gerrard) showed glimpses and Adam Johnson as well. Theo Walcott before. There are players who can do the business."
