World Cup

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World Cup | Qualifiers

Sep 10, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Ukraine
0-0
England

Steven Gerrard: 'We'll miss Wayne Rooney'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 09 September 2013

England captain Steven Gerrard admits that his side will miss Wayne Rooney in tomorrow night's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

England captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that his side will miss Wayne Rooney during tomorrow night's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

Rooney was ruled out of England's crucial double-header having suffered a gash to his head in training, while an injury to Daniel Sturridge and suspension for Danny Welbeck have left the Three Lions short of attacking options going into the game.

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert will lead the line for his country for the third time, and Gerrard believes that even with the absence of Rooney, England should be capable of winning the match.

"We'll have to wait and see [how it affects our performance]. Wayne is a world-class player and we'll miss him when he's not available," Gerrard told reporters.

"But I think we've got more than enough in the squad and in the XI to do the job out here. As the manager says, confidence is high in the group.

"We believe that if we defend well tomorrow night, we've got a great chance of getting the result we want."

England are currently top of Group H and would move three points clear with a win in Kiev tomorrow night.