Gerrard to captain England
Steven Gerrard will lead out the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium
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Friday, 12, Oct 2007 03:56
Steven Gerrard has been named England captain for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia in the absence of injured skipper John Terry.
The Liverpool midfielder will lead the team out to a full house at Wembley Stadium in a game the Three Lions must win in order to keep their qualification plans on track ahead of a difficult trip to Russia on Wednesday.
"The manager has told me I'm skipper," he told Sky Sports.
"To be captain at the new Wembley will be a special day for myself."
The starter alongside Gerrard in midfield looks to be a straight fight between incumbent Gareth Barry and fit-again Chelsea player Frank Lampard.
But Gerrard refused to be drawn into the debate over which one would get the nod from Steve McClaren.
"They are all great midfielders, whether it's Gareth or Frank," he continued.
"That's a difficult decision for the manager.
"I feel comfortable playing alongside both of them."
A scan on Chelsea centre-back Terry's knee revealed he had sustained a minor strain and he is not certain to return in time for the Moscow trip.
And although Gerrard said it was important to focus on the task at hand in the home match before casting their minds to the Russia game, he admitted looking past Estonia was a problem affecting the squad.
"It's around the corner and it's a massive game. We have one eye on Russia," he continued.
"But we can only enjoy a big, big night there if we're professional [against Estonia]."