20 November 2007
VIDEO: Steven Gerrard press conference
The England skipper talks to the media ahead of England's game with Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday. 

England

v

Croatia
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
8pm, Wednesday 21 November 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC



Steven Gerrard has confirmed that he will captain England in their decisive Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia and has warned his teammates that there is still plenty of work to do to ensure the right result against Slaven Bilic's side.

John Terry trained with the squad on Tuesday morning leading to speculation that he could be in line for a shock return from injury.

Gerrard, however, maintained that the game has come too soon for the Chelsea defender to be included and that he will lead England out on Wednesday evening.

The Liverpool midfielder said: "I've spoken to John and he tells me that heâ??s not ready for Wednesday and he's obviously disappointed to be missing out.

"John has joined up with the lads, took part in training and we had dinner with him last night. He'll be there on the night cheering us on.

"It is a massive game that everyone wants to play in but he'll still be there and he will still be a big help to all the players in the dressing room and it gives us a lift him being there."

England require only a point to ensure their place in the finals in Austria and Switzerland next summer, but Gerrard is mindful that his side will face a severe test against a side who currently top Group E and who beat England 2-0 in Zagreb last October.

He added: "People think that because we have got this new lifeline that we have already qualified. But we are going to be playing against a quality side against Croatia on Wednesday.

"We have got an awful lot of respect for them and there is still a lot of hard work to do. My message to the player would be that we still need to put in a big performance to achieve our goals and we have to deliver."