Steven Gerrard optimistic over England progress

Steven Gerrard has insisted that there is plenty of life left in England's World Cup campaign, despite losing their Group D opener to Italy this morning.

Goals in both halves from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli, either side of a Daniel Sturridge equaliser, condemned the Three Lions to a 2-1 defeat in their first game.

Costa Rica's shock 3-1 win over Uruguay on Saturday has blown the pool wide open, and the England skipper insists that a "doable" win over the Uruguayans on Thursday would reinvigorate their quest for the last-16 stage.

"Whatever the result tonight we would have had to go and beat Uruguay anyway," he told BBC Sport. "The challenge is a bit more difficult but certainly doable."

Thursday's clash kicks off at 8pm.