Lampard was impressive in yesterday's 1-1 draw, playing at the base of Sven-Goran Eriksson's midfield diamond and doing the job with style.

Having beaten Nicky Butt into the starting line-up, the Chelsea star caught the eye and is now hoping to keep his place in the team during Euro 2004.

Lampard told TheFA.com: "I was really pleased to be picked because it gave me a chance. We’re all desperate to play in that opening game and a lot has been made of the competition for that midfield slot.

"I like to think I staked a claim. In that holding role it’s not easy to take the game by storm because you’re just holding in there. But I think I did pretty well.

"I had a chance to break forward occasionally and broke a few things up in there. I came off pretty pleased."

Lampard admits the role is very different to the one he plays for Chelsea, where he scored 16 goals from midfield last season. But he is determined to do everything possible to force his way into England's starting eleven.

He said: "The role is against my instincts a bit but if you have a football brain you can change your game. In a diamond you need players who are adaptable. It’s not a problem for me.

"It was a different role to what I’m used to and I had to curb my attacking instincts, but I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the challenge of playing there.

"I got forward a bit in the first half and we did discuss that. There is still a chance of going through sometimes without being picked up. But other players have to fill in for you and you have to be very disciplined to play in that role at this level.

"We opened up a little bit in midfield in the second half and I stayed back.

"I think we can work on it in training. We have intelligent players and if we work on it over the next two weeks we have time to get it right before the France game."