Swansea's Leon Britton hopes a good performance against the latest man to join the England 100-cap club may boost his own chances of a first for his country.
Midfielder Britton, 30, will go up against Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard when the Reds visit the Liberty Stadium on Sunday. Gerrard, 32, recently became the sixth player to record a century of appearances for England in the defeat to Sweden, and remains an integral figure in the Reds' squad.
Britton said: "He has just won his 100th England cap and is one of the greatest English players to play the game."
He went on: "It is great to be on the same pitch with him, I played against him for the first time up at Anfield for 45 minutes and in that time you saw straight way that this is a real player.
"You know that watching on the telly, but coming up against him you see just what a player he is, it is great to play against these types of player, you have got to be on top of your game.
"It's hard to say if he is the best I have faced because I only played against him for 45 minutes, but in that time could see the quality and you have to watch because if you give him time and space he'll hurt you, so it will be good challenge."
Britton has been mentioned as a possible England call-up given his impressive form in a Swansea side continuing to produce attractive football under Michael Laudrup.
And with Everton's Leon Osman being handed his first cap at the age of 31 by Roy Hodgson, there would appear to be hope for the former West Ham academy product.
While Britton would be thrilled to represent his country, he will put thoughts of impressing Hodgson to the back of his mind.
"Has he got Sky? I don't know," said Britton. "I'm concentrating on playing well for Swansea and keeping my place in the team. Maybe I'll send him a DVD if I play all right."
Source: PA
