Spain is right for England's Euro 2008 bid - Gerrard

MANCHESTER, England, Feb 5 (Reuters) Midfielder Steven Gerrard has called on England to show they have what it takes to qualify for Euro 2008 as group winners when they face Spain in Wednesday's friendly.

England's Euro campaign has been going off the rails after a draw at home to Macedonia and a defeat in Croatia left them third in Group E, a point behind Russia and three adrift of leaders Croatia.

Gerrard, who expects to be captain at Old Trafford, told reporters today: ''We've got to show the fans, the manager and everyone in the country that we really want to top this group.

''We've got a really good challenge ahead, because some of the results we've had in the past haven't been what we'd like. But the Spain game is good preparation for next month.

''We put a decent performance in against Holland,'' he said of their 1-1 away draw in November. ''But we're looking to improve on that. England v Spain is a massive game.

''If we can get a good win and a decent performance on Wednesday night it will be good for confidence going into those qualifiers... they are must-win games.'' England are away to Israel on March 24 and play Andorra four days later in Barcelona.

England's last game against the Spanish, which Gerrard missed, ended with a 1-0 friendly defeat in Madrid in November 2004.

Spain showed real skill and dominated the game, although it was marred by racist taunts by the home fans at England's black players.

''They've got fantastic footballers,'' said Gerrard, whose Liverpool team mates, playmaker Xabi Alonso and goalkeeper Pepe Reina, are in the Spain squad.

''The last time England played Spain they gave us a lesson in how to play football.

SPANISH TECHNIQUE ''They were very good technically that night and I'm sure those memories are still in the England players' minds. It wasn't nice to watch. Hopefully we can put in a better performance this time.'' Gerrard was relishing the prospect of wearing the armband, with first-choice John Terry having played only the last few minutes of Chelsea's win at Charlton Athletic on Saturday after a two-month injury absence.

Asked about being captain, the Liverpool skipper said: ''I think that's going to be the case.

''I spoke to the manager at breakfast this morning and I don't think John's ready to start the match. So I'm really looking forward to Wednesday night and hopefully I can get a win as captain.'' As for the prospect of facing some familiar faces, he added: ''I don't want to be going back into work on Thursday morning after getting beaten by my team mates.'' Reuters SAM RS1910