England boss Roy Hodgson has called for "half a dozen Steven Gerrards" to help ensure the Three Lions are Brazil-bound for next summer's World Cup finals.
The key moment arrives on Tuesday in Kiev against Ukraine - now regarded as England's main rival for top spot in Group H.
Hodgson's side warmed up with a 4-0 win against Moldova on Friday with skipper Gerrard scoring his 20th goal for his country to earn himself Man of the Match - a display which will have to be replicated throughout the side if England are to advance to Rio at Ukraine's expense.
Hodgson said: "Look at the quality of Gerrard's performance. If we can get half a dozen of the team playing at that level it will have to be a good team to beat us."
Hodgson believes the onus will be Ukriane to attack which will represent a stern test for central defenders Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka.
"They need to win. There is no guarantee a draw will be that suitable for them because that might take automatic qualification it out of their hands if they draw with us."he said.
" We have two home games left and if we win them it is out of their hands. I am certain, like us with their home games, they will want to keep it in their hands.
"They have to win and they are not going to win by putting eight players behind the ball and wasting time when the ball goes out of play. They will do it by attacking us."
The Three Lions boss believes that will suit his counter-attacking plans with Gerrard pulling the strings alongside Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Arsenal's Jack Wilshere in midfield. It will be Lampard's 100th cap.
Source: Daily Express
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