Fabio Capello's side travel to Minsk knowing a fourth successive win would cement their status as Group Six leaders heading into the new year, while a defeat at the Dinamo Stadium would drag England back towards the chasing pack.

With the group winners guaranteed a place in the 2010 finals, England -- who failed to qualify for Euro 2008 – are desperate to establish a significant lead over group rivals Croatia and Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Although England ran out 5-1 winners over Kazakhstan at Wembley on Saturday, they laboured for long periods to kill off a team ranked 131st in the world.

The absence of injured defenders John Terry and Ashley Cole also leaves England more vulnerable than Capello would like.

Rooney, who scored twice against the Kazaks, has no intention of showing any fear however and the Manchester United striker insists England must raise their game as only a victory is acceptable on Tuesday.

"We have to make sure we get the full six points from these two games otherwise the result in Croatia will have been for nothing," he said.

"Against Belarus, it is going to be a tough game. To win away at any ground is really difficult now.