England captain Steven Gerrard has admitted his international career is tinged with regret after successive sides failed to make the most of a talented generation of players.
The Liverpool midfielder has been a mainstay in the team ever since making his debut back in 2000 against Ukraine, being involved in six major international tournaments with the side during that time.
The 32-year-old is now entering the final stages of what has been an illustrious playing career and admits that, considering the quality they have had available, England have underachieved in recent tournaments.
"It's a must for me to qualify from a personal, selfish point of view. An absolute must," Gerrard told the Daily Mirror.
"On one level, it's about the chance to compete against the best sides and individuals on the planet. On another, it's about having that small chance of coming back as heroes in an England shirt, which I have never experienced.
"I don't feel I have done myself justice at a World Cup. I don't think any England player of this generation can think they have.
"I have always come out of the tournaments with England with regrets that we haven't gone to that extra stage, the last four or the last two. I take some of the responsibility for that.
"I have always been honest and said I am part of that squad of 23 players that comes back having underachieved."
