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Steven Gerrard insists the England players are fully focussed and are not letting off-the-field distractions get to them.

The saga of John Terry being stripped of the captain's armband, and the subsequent premature international retirement of Wayne Bridge - has hogged the headlines in recent weeks.

Gerrard himself will now captain his country against Egypt on Wednesday, after Terry had the armband taken off him.

Rio Ferdinand, who is injured, will be Terry's permanent replacement but Gerrard is the vice-captain and he is looking forward to leading the side out at Wembley.

"Being England captain very is always a big responsibility and I am delighted to be leading the boys out and looking forward to the game," Gerrard said on Sky Sports News.

"Nothing has changed. The team spirit and togetherness has been fantastic and the manager has reiterated the responsibilities on an off the pitch, but he has done that since he arrived on day one.

"Training went well and the lads are in good spirits and we are looking forward to this game and everyone is getting excited because the World Cup is getting close now.

"The boys are really focused on the World Cup already, players are fighting for places and squad places. The standard of training has been superb.

"Playing for England there is always going to be big expectations and Wednesday night gives us the perfect opportunity to show we are still together.

"The boys would love nothing better than to go into Wednesday's game, win well and send everyone away happy."
Terry backing

Gerrard followed Wayne Rooney's calls for the England supporters not to get on the back of Terry at Wembley.

"I hope that is not the case [that they will boo him]," he said.

"The England supporters have been fantastic to this side and hope they come to the game to support the team, I think enough has been said about what has gone on off the pitch and the players' private lives, it is time to move on - the World Cup is only 100 days away and it is imperative we are as one and move forward."

Talking of Bridge's decision to call time on his international career - Gerrard insisted that his decision must be respected.

"All the players respect Wyane's decision and we now move on," he said.

"Wayne Bridge is a fantastic player and has been great back-up to Ashley Cole lately, and obviously we have to respect his decision and in an ideal situation we would like him here.

"I think everyone has to respect his decision and move on, it is a great opportunity for other players to come into the squad, because Ashley [Cole] is injured and with Wayne Bridge not here, Stephen Warnock and Leighton Baines are both fighting, jostling for the left-back spot and hopefully they can both do themselves justice."

Rooney

Gerrard also added to the praise being heaped upon team-mate Wayne Rooney.

Gerrard said: "For England, I hope Wayne can sustain the way he is playing until mid-July.

"His form this season has been special and I agree with Sir Alex Ferguson in that he is now in that bracket of world class and is up there with the top players in the world.

"From England's point of view, if Wayne can continue that kind of form until the summer he is going to be a key player for us.

"There are a lot of good players in the England squad but, the form Wayne is in, it is vital that we can keep him fit.

"Everyone will have their fingers crossed he can avoid injury and he is fit and in this form going into the World Cup.

"At the moment, on current form, Wayne is the best player in the world, in my opinion."

Gerrard also insists that the players are fully focused on beating Egypt on Wednesday.

"Everything has been as normal as it has been," he said.

"All the players are focused about putting a performance in - we know a lot has been written, but the message from me is to move on and concentrate on the football.

"As a player the important thing is to park the issues off the pitch and do our talking on the pitch."

Gerrard is not expecting an easy match at Wembley.

"The Egyptian team are at a very good level, possibly the most successful ever, and it will be a tricky game for us."