England midfielder Steven Gerrard says he cannot wait to get stuck in to France's Patrick Vieira in their Euro 2004 opener on Sunday.

Anxious to make up for missing the 2002 World Cup through groin surgery, Gerrard also believes England can go and win the tournament if they beat the holders in Group B.

Key to that success, though, is for Liverpool's Gerrard to turn the tables on an imposing Arsenal midfielder who has often had the upper hand at club level in the past.

"I'm ready to give Patrick and the lads are ready to give France a run for their money," Gerrard told reporters after training on Thursday.

"Our midfield will be trying to put our markers down early. It's important that we don't let France set the tempo.

"We won't be sitting back. We'll be showing them a lot of respect but we'll be going for the win. The lads are not going to be happy with a draw."

As for their tournament chances, Gerrard said victory on Sunday would be "a massive marker and I think that would give the lads the confidence to go on and win it."

Gerrard knows the comparisons with Vieira are inevitable, especially as the two men are likely to meet when England drive towards the French defensive line.

"We're two tall gangly midfielders, we like to get on the ball and to dictate play," said the 24-year-old.

"We try to go forward when the time is right and we can both defend, but I think Patrick's the best around in my opinion."

DOMINANT VIEIRA

Gerrard has clearly not forgotten being under Vieira's thumb in the 2001 FA Cup final which Liverpool won 2-1 with two late goals from England striker Michael Owen.

"Patrick dominated the whole game that day, he was man of the match in my opinion and Arsenal dominated Liverpool for the majority of that game," he said.

"But I've learned a lot since I was 21. I feel I've matured."

Euro 2004 has taken on a special significance for Gerrard ever since he underwent groin surgery which ruled him out of England's trip to the 2002 World Cup.

"Personally, I've been waiting for this game for a couple of years now and I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "I'm desperate for this tournament to start.

"The lads are very confident we can get to the next phase but we've got to put these words into action.

"You can't pick any holes in the France team, they're very strong," Gerrard said. "But so are we and we've got to go and prove it on Sunday night."