Steven Gerrard insists England's players must approach this World Cup as if it were their last.
As he is due to celebrate his 30th birthday at the end of the month, Gerrard is realistic enough to accept there may not be another chance for him to shine at football's top table. With Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard having already passed that milestone - and John Terry and Ashley Cole not far behind - Gerrard feels the added knowledge of time ticking away could benefit England in South Africa this summer.
"The feeling this is our last World Cup has got to be the attitude going into it," said Gerrard.
"It could be my last chance to win a World Cup, or even shine at one, so you want to give it everything you've got."
Gerrard takes the view that while 2006 was undoubtedly a let-down, both in terms of performances and the overall outcome, it was a useful learning curve.
The bulk of that squad remains, meaning it should be easier to avoid falling into a similar trap of over-confidence.
"We have underachieved in the past," he said.
"Everyone around the world knows England have the tools in their armoury to do well. The challenge is to prove it.
"It is easy to say we are one of the favourites. The difficult thing is getting out of the group, then the last 16 and the last eight. There is a mental situation with this team in the last couple of tournaments where we have failed to get past the last eight.
"If we get past the last eight then the show is going to start."
Source: PA
