Gerrard - relishing right-side roleFrank Lampard believes Steven Gerrard is benefiting from being "let off the leash" by Steve McClaren.
Gerrard, who'll win his 50th cap against Macedonia on Wednesday. was seldom given licence to thrill during the Sven-Goran Eriksson era, sometimes playing on the left, sometimes in a containing central role but rarely in the role he has been employed in with great success by the Reds.
Now the 26-year-old is relishing operating on the right flank and had leading parts to play in the 4-0 and 5-0 wins over Greece and Andorra respectively.
Lampard said: "Steven is a fantastic player and he might have won more caps than he already has if it wasn't for injuries earlier in his career.
"But he is a very good player and playing very well at the moment. I think he is enjoying playing in a similar way to how he plays at Liverpool.
"He has been let off the leash a little bit in that right-sided position and he is playing with all the quality we know he has got in his locker."
Owen Hargreaves reckons England should consider themselves lucky to have both Gerrard and Lampard at their disposal.
He said: "Steven and Lamps are two of the best midfielders you would find anywhere in the world. They have got exceptional ability in going forward and also getting back.
"Steven scored a great goal against Andorra and in the wide-right position he showed all his talent.
"We can count ourselves very fortunate that we have Steve and Lamps in the same team. They are two of the best midfielders in the business."
Gerrard won his first cap against Ukraine at Wembley in May 2000 and netted his 10th goal for his country against the Andorrans on Saturday.
He said: "I've still got a responsibility out there on the right flank but the manager wants me to express myself and put crosses in, join up with the front men and get into the box on the end of chances so that's what I'm trying to do."
Meanwhile, Lampard has come under fire from fans in various phone-ins since the Andorra game but he is content with how his partnership alongside Hargreaves is progressing.
He said: "It works well because Owen is working so hard, winning balls back, and then I can look forward to getting forward and on the end of things.
"I couldn't get forward as much against Andorra because of how busy it was in the midfield but we had to keep trying to move the ball.
"I enjoy playing with Owen and I've enjoyed also playing with Steven and Stewart Downing during the last couple of games and it has worked very well.
"Owen is a defensive-minded player first and foremost. He sits more in there whereas, with myself and Steven, we would alternate more between going forward and staying back."
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