All the talk in the build-up to the clash in Serrevalle has been of an easy win for the Three Lions, but the captain insists the squad will show their opponents respect

England captain Steven Gerrard insists the squad will take nothing for granted when they face San Marino in Friday’s World Cup qualifier.

The minnows are yet to win a competitive game in their 27-year playing history, and are not expected to provide Roy Hodgson’s side with many problems as the Three Lions seek three points to keep them in contention with Montenegro for top spot in Group H.

However, Gerrard disagrees with that attitude, insisting to reporters: “We don’t look at the game as an easy game, all the pressure is on England and we respect the opposition in San Marino.”

“We know they are going to make it difficult for us and try and defend really well, so it is important for us to try and play close to our top level and try to score early.

“It may become easy but we can speak about that afterwards. Before the game we show the opposition respect and we prepare really hard for this game.”

The game in Serrevalle has generally been perceived as an easy win for England as they prepare to make a daunting trip to Montenegro on Tuesday, but the Liverpool midfielder is adamant the rest of the squad are taking it one match at a time.

“In an ideal situation we win the game comfortably and put on a show for everyone watching back home, and the 3,000 fans who have come out here to watch us, but the three points are the most important thing,” he continued.

“We get the same out of this game as hopefully we’re going to get on Tuesday night, so they are both big games.

“On Wednesday morning hopefully we’ll be in the driving seat in this group, and we’ll have taken control. If we take six points we can go away and enjoy the summer, as far as England games are concerned, and then we come back next season ready to go on and win the group.

“We’ve had a fantastic week’s training, everyone’s fit and available, and everyone is happy. We’re all looking forward to Friday’s game and we’re certainly not lacking confidence on the back of the Brazil result so things are good.”

The former Swansea City midfielder underwent an operation on Thursday to correct a long-standing shoulder problem and his club confirm that the procedure went smoothly

Liverpool have confirmed that Joe Allen’s shoulder surgery has gone according to plan and that he should return to full fitness during the summer’s pre-season training.

The Wales international had been struggling with a shoulder problem for several months and finally made the decision to rule himself out of the rest of the season in order to hit the ground running for the 2013-14 campaign.

The operation took place on Thursday morning and, according to head of performance Glen Driscoll, was a complete success.

“Joe Allen had surgery this morning, which went very well,” Driscoll told the club’s official website.

“It’s going to be a relief for Joe that this has now happened for him. It has been quite a long-standing issue. He was repetitively subluxing, so his shoulder was coming out very easily and very often.

“It was a procedure that was very important. He should be 12 weeks from now, so he’ll be fighting fit for the start of pre-season.”

Allen’s performances have come in for some criticism in recent weeks but Driscoll believes that his shoulder condition must have played a considerable part in his disappointing form.

“I think he has done amazingly well,” he continued. “Anyone who has ever had repetitive subluxations of shoulders will know there is a lot of apprehension involved.

“I find it difficult to see how that wouldn’t have affected Joe. It was getting to the point where he would do a high-five to celebrate a goal and would actually feel a sublux.

“When you know this is happening, it’s not just the pain that occurs – it’s the apprehension.

“He has done very well to get through this and it’s great for him that we can draw a line under this, get him fit and see how he goes next season.”

The 33-year-old forward, who announced his retirement on Tuesday, claimed his strike in Saint-Etienne was the best goal of his career

Stoke striker Michael Owen believes his goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup changed his life.

The 33-year-old former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United forward announced on Tuesday that he will hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign.

Under a wave of sentiment following the declaration of his retirement, the former England international has described the goal in Saint-Etienne against the Albiceleste as the defining moment of his career.

“It definitely changed my life. I don’t think it changed me as me, but to the outside world and people looking at me it just brought a lot more scrutiny and it announced me to the world of football,” he reflected to twentyfour7 Magazine. “In that way it changed my life.”

Owen went on to state that although it faces stiff competition, the goal also means the most to him on a personal level.

“Scoring the goal in the Manchester derby to win 4-3 was a huge adrenaline rush, scoring two goals against Arsenal in the FA Cup final was a huge adrenaline rush and my hat-trick in Germany was special,” he continued.

“But if I had to pick one, it would be my goal against Argentina.”