Gerrard says England players do care

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has dismissed claims that the England players don’t care about playing for their country as ‘nonsense’ the Mirror understands.

The Reds skipper is preparing to lead Roy Hodgson’s men into a crucial World Cup Qualifying double header, which begins against Montenegro at Wembley on Friday evening.

The 33 year old harked back to the country’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008, saying the pain and agony lasted for a long time, and he is desperate to be part of next summer’s tournament in Brazil.

If, as expected, he plays against both Montenegro and Poland, Gerrard will become the fourth most capped England international of all time, moving one ahead of Sir Bobby Charlton and to within one of World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore.

Daniel Sturridge is also likely to play on Friday evening, and his club and national captain believes that he and Wayne Rooney can steer the Three Lions through this critical week, according to the Metro.

Sturridge has won just six caps so far, and will be looking to transfer his impressive club form, which has seen him score nineteen goals in 25 games since signing from Chelsea in January, onto the international stage.