Steven Gerrard admits it has been 'difficult' being an England player since the defeat in Russia, but is staying positive for the national team's Euro 2008 qualification hopes.
Last month's 2-1 loss in Moscow means England are relying on Israel to secure a result against Russia on Saturday to ensure Steve McClaren's men still have a chance to reach next summer's finals.
England face tournament co-hosts Austria in a friendly on Friday, but midfielder Gerrard intimated that the players' minds are on Israel's game with Russia 24 hours later.
"It's going to be a difficult week because we're all waiting for the Israel game," Gerrard told the Daily Mirror. "It's been difficult being an England player since the Russia result.
"We could all be going into one of the most meaningless internationals of our career, or one of the most important.
"But if we join up this week thinking it's all over and we've got no chance, it will make it impossible to prepare right for Wednesday if it suddenly becomes a massive game for us."
Gerrard also insists the players want to represent England and the stand-in skipper remains determined to be successful with the national team.
He added: "It's not aggravation to go out and play for your country. I still believe and have a dream of winning something with England, and that's worth any aggravation.
"If you look around the squad and see the players we've got, they should be capable of winning something. If we have to suffer this summer to have a successful World Cup in 2010, then that really would be worth the aggravation, if you want to call it that.
"Can you imagine this country if we have a successful tournament? And that's what I want to be part of.
"I have the same dream I had when I was a kid. Any young English player who doesn't have that dream shouldn't be playing for England.
"I can assure everyone on the outside that the players are frustrated and disappointed at the position we're in and are desperate to put it right."
Last month's 2-1 loss in Moscow means England are relying on Israel to secure a result against Russia on Saturday to ensure Steve McClaren's men still have a chance to reach next summer's finals.
England face tournament co-hosts Austria in a friendly on Friday, but midfielder Gerrard intimated that the players' minds are on Israel's game with Russia 24 hours later.
"It's going to be a difficult week because we're all waiting for the Israel game," Gerrard told the Daily Mirror. "It's been difficult being an England player since the Russia result.
"We could all be going into one of the most meaningless internationals of our career, or one of the most important.
"But if we join up this week thinking it's all over and we've got no chance, it will make it impossible to prepare right for Wednesday if it suddenly becomes a massive game for us."
Gerrard also insists the players want to represent England and the stand-in skipper remains determined to be successful with the national team.
He added: "It's not aggravation to go out and play for your country. I still believe and have a dream of winning something with England, and that's worth any aggravation.
"If you look around the squad and see the players we've got, they should be capable of winning something. If we have to suffer this summer to have a successful World Cup in 2010, then that really would be worth the aggravation, if you want to call it that.
"Can you imagine this country if we have a successful tournament? And that's what I want to be part of.
"I have the same dream I had when I was a kid. Any young English player who doesn't have that dream shouldn't be playing for England.
"I can assure everyone on the outside that the players are frustrated and disappointed at the position we're in and are desperate to put it right."
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