England v Andorra
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
5pm, Saturday 2 September 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester United FC
Live on BBC

To buy tickets online click here
31 August 2006
Frank Lampard press conference

Frank Lampard speaks to the press ahead of England's opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra on Saturday.

Frank Lampard is ready to bounce back from his World Cup heartache and show he can become a central figure in the England team during the European Championship qualifiers.

The Chelsea midfielder has been a star performer for both club and country over the last few years and played a key role in helping his club side record back-to-back Premiership titles.

Despite his popularity, Lampard came under fire from certain sections of the media during the World Cup in Germany.

But with a new era beginning under Steve McClaren, Lampard is determined to let his football do the talking on the field and help the Three Lions qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

Lampard said: "The week after the World Cup was really disappointing for me. I missed a penalty and didn’t score in the tournament and it is the lowest moment of your career to get knocked out.

"I went away with my girlfriend and baby and you realise the importance of other things. But after a few weeks of holiday I was gagging to get back on the pitch and start playing well.

"When things are fresh you see things and think they are unfair. But when you look at things in perspective, I have had not received too much criticism over the last three years and been a very successful person with the team I am playing for.

"When you play for England and want to be a big player you have to be prepared to experience the other side and keep your mouth shut and play well.

"The only real answer you can give is on the pitch. I have improved over the years and I am not going to settle for anything less. I hope I can go onto another level and will always try to improve for as long as I can."

Lampard will be hoping for a star performance in England’s opening European Championship qualifier against Andorra on Saturday.

England got off to a fantastic start under Steve McClaren when they recorded a convincing 4-0 win over Greece in their last game and Lampard knows his side are capable of producing another exciting display for the fans at Old Trafford.

Lampard added: "We need to see a performance and if you look at the first half against Greece it is a great starting point.

"We played with pace and ability and there was great quality in our passing. We won the ball back quickly and when you play with that kind of desire the result comes for you.

"We want to score goals and want to excite the crowd. We want to win and expect to win these two games. That is the pressure we need to put on ourselves."

Lampard will regain the spot kick duties if England are awarded a penalty against Andorra on Saturday.

The Chelsea midfielder scored from twelve-yards against Blackburn last weekend and showed he is ready to put behind him the agony of missing a penalty in the World Cup quarter-final defeat against Portugal.

He said: "You would be inhuman not to think about what happened because it is not nice to miss a penalty in a World Cup quarter final. You think it is one of the moments of my career I am really not happy with.

"The next one is all-important to give you a bit of confidence and I was determined to make sure I scored it. I spoke to Steve and will take them. I was going to take one against Greece if we got one. I am big enough to take the responsibility.

"I have taken and scored enough penalties in the past. I am confident enough to say if he wants me to take one I am big enough to do it."