I'm confident England will qualify - Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard is confident England will qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

England captain Steven Gerrard has assured fans that he is confident England will qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, in an interview with Sky Sports.

Roy Hodgson’s England sit at the top of group H in the European qualifiers with a one point lead over Ukraine following the 0-0 draw between the two sides where England’s performance was criticised by the media for being laborious and lacking creativity.

“I think we lacked a little bit of a cutting edge in the final third, but that isn’t a worry because there are some big players missing for England at the moment,” the Liverpool and England skipper said.

“If we can get (Wayne) Rooney and Sturridge fit they will be two big players for us, and they are the type of players you will need to break down the two teams we are coming up against.

“Our record is quite good at Wembley. We proved that by beating Brazil there so if we defend as we did against Ukraine and have a little bit more of that cutting edge in the final third, we will get there. I am really confident we can get the job done.”

Gerrard is keen to see Liverpool teammate Daniel Sturridge in an England shirt again. The striker was the most obvious choice to replace Rooney after the Manchester United striker was ruled out, but Sturridge had to pull out himself when he suffered a thigh injury.

“The stage is set for Daniel if he can get himself fit,” Gerrard added. “He is in terrific form.”

Despite the media’s criticism of the performance, Gerrard insisted that it was a good result and reserved special praise for England’s defenders and goalkeeper Joe Hart.

“Two clean sheets in four days answers a lot of critics,” said Gerrard.

“I thought Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill were brilliant, and you have to add Ashley Cole and Kyle Walker in to that. I thought Ash was unbelievable.

“Every big game I have played with Ashley Cole he has stood up and been terrific. He and Kyle Walker kept their two danger men quiet.

“Joe (Hart) did everything needed of him and I am sure these two clean sheets will do wonders for his confidence.”