Chelsea midfielder Lampard delivered an honest assessment of his and Gerrard’s fortunes as Fabio Capello considers pairing them together again in the World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Saturday.

“If we are both honest – and Stevie is a very honest man – we both haven’t played as well for England as we have for our clubs, particularly over the last two seasons,” said Lampard.

“I think if we had done we probably would have qualified for the Euros, but we haven’t. That is the case whether we’ve played together or separately. It’s not just being big-headed, but from what we’ve done for our clubs and the way we play, I’d like to think we could have qualified.” 

Although Gerrard and Lampard have been on the losing side in just five of the 38 internationals they have both started, they have struggled to convince as a partnership. “I’d like to think it can work,” said Lampard. “I don’t think we are stupid players and I don’t think we are egotistical.”

England captain John Terry missed training yesterday with a back problem but is expected to join in today with his team-mates.