Gerrard: Wayne will have to wait for the armband... I'm going nowhere!

Steven Gerrard insists he still gets as big a thrill from winning his 99th England cap as his first - and has warned Wayne Rooney he may have to wait to replace him as captain.

The Liverpool midfielder will return from suspension to lead the side in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier with Poland in Warsaw which will leave him one cap short of the century mark.

But more than a decade of playing for his country has not diminished the 32-year-old midfielder's appetite for representing the Three Lions.

Top dogs: Steven Gerrard (centre) and Wayne Rooney (third right) at England training in Warsaw

Gerrard said: 'I'm coming up to my 99th cap but I'm loving it as much as if it was my first.

'I've been around the set-up an awful long time. But I don't feel old, I'm not getting bored with it.

'I still feel fresh, looking forward to tomorrow's game as much as my debut.

'Every time you put the England shirt on it is a proud moment and to get 99 is a fantastic achievement for myself.

'But it will only be a good memory for me if we get the three points tomorrow night.'

Gerrard was impressed with Rooney's first competitive match as captain against San Marino on Friday when he netted twice in a 5-0 win. But he has no intention of giving up the armband lightly.

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