England v Israel
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
5pm, Saturday 8 September 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC1

Rio Ferdinand is giving out a positive vibe as England prepare for tomorrow's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel and insists the intense pressure will only make him stronger.

Ferdinand knows victory at Wembley on Saturday afternoon is absolutely vital if the Three Lions want to achieve their dream and qualify for the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

But while it is easy to concentrate on the size of the task ahead, Ferdinand is thinking only of the benefits of getting it right.

He said: "This is a great opportunity for us. These are fantastic games, it is the  new Wembley, we couldnt have many more things going for us and incentives to  do well.

"Wembley is a fantastic stadium, it is the home of English football, and to have four of our games there at the end of a qualifying campaign, you would ask for that if you could before the draw."

That's the kind of attitude Head Coach Steve McClaren wants from his players and Ferdinand insists England must remain upbeat as they prepare to take on the Israelis and then Russia four days later.

He said: “The good thing is we have four out of our last five games at home and it's been reiterated a few times that it is in our hands at the moment. We are in a good position from that point of view.”

Ferdinand has extra reason to want to qualify for the Finals, having been left out of Kevin Keegan's squad at the last minute in 2000 and then finding himself suspended for Euro 2004. And he is also dreaming of lifting a trophy for his country after almost 10 years as an international player.

The Manchester United defender said: "I have been to a few World Cups, and enjoyed the occasions, and I really, really want to do something in the European Championships. This a a time when we really need to go there and put our stamp on it.

"We need to qualify first, but hopefully if we get there it will be an opportunity for this generation of players that I have been involved in.

"I would love for us at the end of it, to be able to hold our heads up high and say we achieved something with England.”

Nobody in the England camp would argue with that. But if the goal is to be achieved then there is a big job to do against Israel and Russia first and Ferdinand is well aware of the expectation.

"We're ready," insisted Ferdinand. "Of course there is pressure. England expects, the nation expects, the fans, staff and players expect. But we're up to it."